IMMIGRANTS ON RANGITATA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 6

IMMIGRANTS ON RANGITATA

EXPERIENCED FARM WORKERS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 22. A total of 327 new settlers were due to arrive in the Rangitata next week, said the Minister of Immigration (Mr A. McLagan) to-day. Of the total, 237 had been granted either free or assisted passages. The remaining 90 had paid their own fares but had been granted priority immigration berths. “The group which has been of great interest on this occasion consists of 41 'experienced farm workers,” said the Minister. “Advance reports on these men have been excellent, and there has been keen competition among farmers to engage them.” Also aboard were 65 women and girls for hospital nursing staff and domestic work in hospitals and institutions, 18 men for coal l2 men for sawmilling and forestry, 37 labourers for work in building and allied trades, and 15 women and girls for employment in the manufacture of men’s and boys’ clothing. The balance of the party was made up of workers for the footwear, printing, engineering trades, woollen mills, general factory work, the Post and Telegraph Qppartment, and the Prisons Department.

The number who would go to the South Island was 106, and allocations had been spread from Whangarei to Invercargill.