IMMIGRATION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14564, 15 January 1913, Page 4

IMMIGRATION.

STATEMENT BY .THE PRIMK

MINISTER

AN ACTIVE POLICY

(BPBTIM. TO ''THE rK_SS.")

AUCKLAND. January 14

In tho course of an interview nt Dargavillc. tho Prime Minister save somo infenin-ition regaidvig tho Government's policy respecting immigration. "Wo decided." saitl tho Prime Minister, "to give Mr Bell a free Itanir in the matter of immigration, moro especially as it ei/.nes within the scojic ot" his functions as Minister t»f Internal Affairs. Formerly the hnmigntiem Department.-was elireeted l>y tho Minister ot Lands, hat having that portfolio myself now. 1 find my hands sufficiently lull witiiout elealin;; with immigration. '■' Mr Mav.ey inelicateel that tho (Joyerniuenl iiitriuied to ])ursne an active immigration policy. Matters in this connection had, he said, been somewhat >lack ehirmn the hist two or t!ire<.- years. tl<- stated with satisfaction. hnw*»ver. that elurinp; the ye-ar just on'tle_ New Zealand s::;u gained more by excess ot arrivals over tU'jiarturos—something like 10.1X10— than she had in th • two j>;-eeedn;g vcars. That, he agreed, was not saying a groat devil, but nevertheless it was a gratifying tendency. "This country." " said" Mr Mnssey. "shotiiM be gaining at le\ist 2-).(; iX) people each year by innuig-.-atioa." As lie spoke the Prime Minister was. seated on the. eleck of a steamer proceeding up the expansive Wairoa river, nnd with a comprehensive way.-» of his hanil ho remarked that ail the nonproductive laiuls ot die far north should be setth'el with a farming population. Asked the seninc. wheaee the t!ovornnuuit. intended to re-e'ruit immigrant-, tho Prime Minister replied: "In England." R» had hern informed that the two hatches of immigrant* who had arrived during the past two or threo weeks, to the number of about 1.100. wero a sturdy lot an I calculated to make- hard} settlers. That was the proper typo to secure— farmers anel elomesties. ' We mean to one:oiiragt> men of the (arming class, also suitable voniig people for dcmestif service, as mue-li as possible," adeleii Mr Masse.y. Ho fii'-thoi remarkeel that tho prosent Hn'h Comniissioj.-w. was well inforrneel in regarel to the Oovornmont's desires in this matter, and under tlie enthusiastic direction of tho Hon Mr Bell, he tinti.'ipatrd good results. Speaking at a social tendered to Vim at D'trgaville. Mt M'assev said he had iust been advised that the total number of arrivals in Xo-.v Zealand during tho t.velve months ending December 31st last was 44.G60, as compared with 41.359 during 1911. and 35,709 during 1910 The departures from New Zealand last yea- totallo:! 35.73:; (showing a net gain 89_7). In 1911 tho eleparturei were 37.189. a gain of -1200; and in 1910 the total departures wero 32,201. leaving a gain of 3408.