IMMIGRATION POLICY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 5

IMMIGRATION POLICY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

REVIEW

ECONOMIC FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. June 8. As part of its economic policy the Government had arranged a review of immigration policy, said the Minister of Immigration (Mr J. R. Hanan) in Auckland. The review would be carried out by the Immigration Advisory Council. “The council will be asked to have regard in its review to both the longterm beneficial effects of immigration and the short-term inflationary effects, the latter being of particular importance at this stage of the development of the Government’s policy to correct inflationary trends.” said Mr Hanan.

“Whatever the results of the review, there will be no immediate changes in the immigration pattern, as New Zealand has accepted commitments under the free passage scheme from the United Kingdom for about 5000 persons.”

Mr Hanan said it was not expected that there would be major changes in policy on the acceptance of unmarried immigrants. the largest source of immigration.

“There has been an increase in the number of married immigrants and the consequent pressure on housing accommodation and finance is a matter of some concern,” Mr Hanan said. “It is accepted that the short-term effect of immigration is inflationary because of the additional demand it creates for consumer goods,” said Mr Hanan. “However, the labour shortage has been eased.

"The correction of inflationary trends is one of the most important present tasks of the Government, and this has made some review of aspects of immigration an urgent task/’ he concluded.