SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17394, 3 March 1922, Page 8

SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.

Immigration was the subject of a discussion at a meeting of ex--Imperial soldiers held last night, The chairman (Mr A. G. Simmonds) made reference to tho deputation that waited on the Minister of Labour on Wednesday, when the complaint was made that a number of mechanics had been brought to New Zealand under a misapprehension. He asked the meeting to express an opinion on the subject of immigration generally. A momber of tho meeting said that he* had been told by a man that the latter had been informed that no fewer than 20,000 mechanics were required in the Dominion. He was told by someono in authority in London, but whether it was by the Overseas Settlement League officials he did not know. He knew, however, that officials in the High Commissioner's office had told men that they could get £4 weekly for farm work. Other "fairy tales" had been told them. Another man present said that he had read in tho "News of the World" that 20,000 mechanics were needed in New Zealand. Another man said that he had come all the way from the Old Country with a number of others, and he would like to see anyone who did not think himself hotter off here than in England. Had he stayed there, he would have starved. When ho came out, he realised that there would be a certain amount Q i feeling against him as an immigrant, but this had to be lived down. (Applause.) Another speaker said- that he did not think the Overseas Settlement League sufficiently impressed on the men com"ing out that they would have to be prepared to do anything on their arrival. He did not like not being able to get a job at his owri tsade, but lie haof taken things as they were, and kept smiling. Replying to a question _ from the chairman, a new arrival said that "the High Commissioner had tho last say as to n hether a man could proceed to the Dominion. If he was not satisfied that the man would be all right, the latter was simply turned down. Another speaker said that the handbooks stated that if the men could not get work at their own trade they must be prepared to do anything. A complaint was made by a man who. had been in the country for a fortnight that he had not been told in the High Commissioner's office' that there was slackness in New Zealand. It was suggested that the meeting should pass a resolution to be se%t Home 6tating that some of the men were coming out under a misapprehension. It did not seem fair to the men themselves or to New Zealanders to send out men who did not know what they were coming to. Mr Leadley said that he' was glad to have had the matter discussed, but he hoped that none of the Imperial soldiers present would send Home any such resolution as had been suggested. He did not think there was much room for complaint. In his opinion every man in the High Commissioner's office should he a New Zealander thoroughly acquainted with the economio conditions of the Dominion. He reminded the Imperial soldiers that they were of the same stock as the pioneers who had made New Zealand what it was to-day and urged them not to lose their faith. The chairman spoke on similar lines. Let them face the position with grit, and, if things did not g/> right at first, to ptit a little more grit into their efforts. (Applause.) A Voice: Don't vou think the immigrants all come out with that spirit? Tie Chairman: Yes, I quite believe they do, but don't let us get downhearted when we come up against difficulties.