WORKERS FROM HOLLAND

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22747, 27 June 1939, Page 3

WORKERS FROM HOLLAND

CARPENTERS FOR STATE HOUSING NEW IMMIGRATION SCHEME (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, June 26. As the first step in what is stated to be a new immigration scheme sponsored by the Dutch and New Zealand Governments, five young Dutchmen, qualified carpenters, arrived in the Monowai from Vancouver. They will leave this afternoon for Wellington, where they will be employed on State building projects. They are a fine type of young men, athletic in build, well educated, and eager to reside in New Zealand. Two are engaged to be married, and will send later for their fiancees. Two studied English by a correspondence course. To find their fares they were assisted by the Dutch Government, under an agreement stated to 'have been made with the New Zealand Government providing for the immigration of a large number of Dutch settlers, principally carpenters, skilled labourers, farm labourers, and domestic servants. The scheme was described in an authoritative quarter to-day as important and comprehensive, though its application wilJ probably be gradual. Reports are submitted to both governments on the suitability of the immigrants and the Dutch impressions of conditions in New Zealand. As work becomes available the quota will be increased. A steady inflow is expected. The men were met on the Monowai by the Government Placement Officer (Mr Elsbury) and the Dutch Consul (Captain Bauer).