IMMIGRANTS FOR CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25553, 22 July 1948, Page 3

IMMIGRANTS FOR CHRISTCHURCH

NUMBERS DEPENDENT ON ACCOMMODATION PROSPECTS NOT THOUGHT ENCOURAGING “The immediate prospects of obtaining a satisfactory number of immigrants for Christchurch are not encouraging,’’ said Mr R. G. Pearce, in a report on immigration received last evening at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. “It would seem that at the present time there are 1300 immigrants <>n the water, and the arrival of a further 5000 could be made possible during this year, providing shipping prospects are maintained and accommodation is possible. "Apparently the proportion of these immigrants that Christchurch will obtain depends entirely on the accommodation that is found within the local community, as it is not intended to use the 268 beds at Wigram iT private accommodation is available m other centres. The Wigram accommodation is to be used only aS a. last resort. ♦ “Christchurch will only receive, of the 1300 persons on the way, a number equal to the private accommodation found in the interim in Christchurch.’’ The report added that the National Council of Women was conducting a house-to-house canvass to secure accommodation for immigrants, and suggested that this campaign should be fully supported by manufacturers. The president (Mr F. C. Penfold) said it appeared that those districts which could provide the accommodation secured immigrant workers. Mr D. S. Dott asked why the Wigram accommodation could not be used, as a state of emergency already existed in industry. «• Mr A. J. White said that in the printing industry, some immigrants, appeared to have gravitated to Christ- * church in spite of the shortage of accommodation. _ Mr H. C. Urlwin said it seemed amazing that the North Island'Could guarantee accommodation for immigrants. Mr White suggested that the • North Island’s claims might be . mythical rather than factual It was decided to make a grant of < £lO to assist the National Council of Women in its campaign to secure accommodation for immigrants.