ASSISTED MIGRANTS TO N.Z.

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 12

ASSISTED MIGRANTS TO N.Z.

CRITICISM SAID TO BE UNWARRANTED

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 31. With few exceptions, the 25,000 British settlers who had come to New Zealand under the Government-spon-sored assisted immigration scheme had honoured their contracts and given satisfaction as citizens, the Immigration Advisory Council reported today. The council expressed disapproval of “unwarranted criticism,” by a New Zealand merchant, Mr T. N. R. Harris, who, in a letter to the “Daily Telegraph,” London, is reported to have said British migrants have a bad reputation overseas because “they will not work, and they expect the State to provide them with a comfortable and easv life when they arrive.” There was evidence, the council said, in a statement, to suggest that only a small proportion of assisted immigrants did not remain in New Zealand permanently. There was also evidence that some who left later doubted the wisdom of their qction and returned. “The council emphatically’ believes that ill-founded criticism of British immigrants is to be deplored,” the statement said. “British immigrants have been most acceptable to employers, and they have and are making a valuable contribution to the development of New Zealand.” • The council said that during the last few months there had been a considerable increase in the number of persons applying for assistance, and there was every indication that the lack of interest among single migrants last year had been only temporary.