IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25934, 14 October 1949, Page 9

IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

INCREASE URGED BY SYNOD

“Our net gain last year, according to the figures of the Department of Labour and Employment, was 4708 im- ‘ migrants. That is very good, but not good enougi ” said the Rev. D. D. Thorpe, at the annual Synod of the Christchurch diocese last evening. On his motion, Synod passed a resolution commending the Government policy of immigration, but urging a great increase in the flow of immigrants, especially family units, to New Zealand. Further resolutions urged people in every parish to find accommodation for new settlers, particularly in their own homes, and to welcome them into the life of the community, and commended Government servants for the wise and thoughtful way they had handled selection and placing, and the work of the National Council of Churches.

The New Zealand Government had brought in scarcely 5000 immigrants, said Mr Thorpe, while Britain had 240,000 displaced and other persons, and Australia had taken 120,000 in one year. “We are a long way short,” he said. One big building concern had reported that it was not so much the shortage of materials but the labour shortage which was holding up housing.