IMMIGRANTS FROM ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17019, 16 December 1920, Page 6

IMMIGRANTS FROM ENGLAND.

REPLY TO COMPLAINTS v (PBKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND. December 15. ' An explanation of the position in regard to immigrants to New Zealand under tho Imperial Overseas Settlement Committee's scheme was made by Mf Thomson, Undcr-Secrctary for Immigration. Complaints hayo been mado that somo of these who hare travelled by way of Australia have not been met_ on arrival by officers of tho Immigration Department," and have had difficulty in finding accommodation. Mr Thomson said tho grounds for such complaints<aroso wholly from the fact that in the cases concerned tho Department did not receive any notification to expect these people. Some huni dreds of immigrants umicr the Imperial ' scheme had been booked to Australia, in many cases without any arrangement i for tneir conveyance to Now Zealand. In some cases tho Department had been advised of their position, and had ar- . ranged passages for them by the intercolonial steamers. In others the immigrants had not approached the authorities, but had themselves paid for passages, and consequently tho Department knew nothing of them until they wero in tho Dominion. Recognising that tho position was unsatisfactory, the Government had telegraphed to the "High Commissioner on November 27th, asking him to make representations to the Imperial Committee with a view to preventing such complications. Sir James Allen hid replied that it was not intended that Imperial' immigrants should travel to New Zealand by the Australian route.' Coupons for passages are issued "by the Imperial Committee to approved ex-soldiers. These were available through the ordinary immigration agents, and thus the committee lost control. There aro approximately 40C0 men, not including wives and families, waiting for pnssnees to Now Zealand, to whom coupons have been issued, and as tlioFO make their own arramroments with local agents, the High Commissioner cannot control them. Those who travel via Australia do so without the authority or knowledge of the committee or of tho High Commissioner, therefore the Government of New Zealand is in no way liable for any expenses. Mr Thomson said the Government | had now asked the Commissioner to arrange with the Imperial Committee and shipping agents find companies that no more immigrants for New Zealand shall be despatched via Australia. Tho Government " has suggested the issue of circulars to all companies and agents concerned, instructing them that persons presenting warrants for New Zealand are to \s booked by the direct route only, ai<«* has asked tho High Commissioner to arrange with the Imperial Committee for tho printing of this instruction on all future warrants. The Department understands that a considerable number of immigrants are already en route via Australia, so that tho difficulties previously experienced cannot bo immediately remedied. Its policy is to afford every possible assistance'to immigrants whether they arrive under the Imperial or New Zealand Government's scheme, and so far as it can obtain information of arrivals from Australia, will afford them the same facilities as those travelling by direct route.