IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 9

IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

FEWER INQUIRIES IN BRITAIN

LITTLE DISPARITY NOW IN WAGE RATES (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. Improved living conditions in Britain, together with d feeling .that the fear of war is receding, are 'believed to be among the reasons why fewer people appear to be interested in emigrating to New Zealand. Where there was once a shortage of shipping space for emigrants, there is now ample accommodation. Fewer young married people are going to New Zealand, chiefly, it seems, because of the lack of housing there. The New Zealand Migration Office in London says, however, that if adequate housing were available many more young couples would sail. It is now becoming almost difficult to attract young single people. Reasons attributed to the decline' of interest in emigrating include the removal of most of the restrictions, well-filled shops and the fact that wages in New Zealand now do not appear more attractive than in Britain. Former disparities in pay have disappeared. Recently the Migration Office began an advertising campaign to attract more young single people, but the results were reported as being “very disappointing,” and it seems they are unlikely to improve in the near future. Thus’ with married couples, willing though they are to go to New Zealand, not leaving because of housing complications, and single people not being interested, there is a definite falling away in migration.