Manufacturers Discuss Delays In Immigration
The New Zealand Manufacturers’ ’ Federation was not being very venturesome in its attitude towards immigration, said Mr J. K. Dobson, at a meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association council last evening. Mr Dobson said he understood there were delays in assisted passages. “I think the federation should look at that,” he said. The council adopted a resolution, moved by Mr Dobson, that the federation be asked to take up the question of delays in bringing nominated persons to New Zealand by sea so that delays would be avoided. The council also decided to challenge the subsidising of skilled workers to get them to come to the country. At the suggestion of Mr Dobson, this will be taken up with the federation.
“If we want anything in industry, we want skilled workers,” said Mr Dobson. “It should not be left to industry to foot some of the bill if it wants skilled labour.” The president (Mr R. G. Pearce) said that, about two years ago the federation adopted a terget of 2500 immigrants a year, and it had attempted to make some sort of progressive target rather
than leave it around 2500. The scale had risen to 5000, 7000, and 8000. Mr Dobson said that the federation should look at delays in assisted passages before its annual meeting. Mr L. G. Davidson said that lately there had been delays of 12 months between the time of sponsorship and the time immigrants would leave. “It is not surprising that many persons who have been engaged to come to this country have had a change of heart or gone somewhere else before getting a passage to New Zealand.” Use Of Aircraft
Mr Pearce said that a “fillerloading” scheme using aircraft could reduce delays. One problem was the lack of direct flights from the migrant sources to New Zealand. He had recently travelled on an aircraft from England to Australia that was full. Seats that otherwise would have been empty were filled by immigrants. Mr A. H. Lee said that if a target was going to be set for immigrants to New Zealand there must be a reasonable assurance that the target was going to be filled. Consideration should be given to getting migrants from countries such as Italy or Spain.
Manufacturers Discuss Delays In Immigration
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 16
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