OWN MIGRANT SCHEME

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 1

OWN MIGRANT SCHEME

(fl Z Press Association/ DUNEDIN, Sept. 11.

Manufacturers want the Government to step up its immigration policy and open interviewing offices in British industrial areas.

The call for more immigrants comes from Mr H. H. Saunders, president of the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association.

“It is necessary for British applicants to go to London for interviewing, or await long periods for immigration officers at New Zealand House. London, to journey to the areas concerned.” In his annual report to the association, Mr Saunders said that with the free trade area with Australia it was most important that New Zealand’s

immigration programme should be brought into line with Australia.

“At present Australia leaves us far behind,” he said.

Realising that only 5 per cent of the Government assisted immigrants who come to New Zealand settle in Otago, and 1 per cent in Southland, the association organised its own immigra-

tion scheme for its members.

For advertisements in Britain 500 applications were received for 113 vacancies, said Mr Saunders. “It has been demonstrated to members that skilled workers are still available from Britain, and are in fact, eager to come to any part of New Zealand which offers suitable positions. "Many manufacturers and other firms in Otago and Southland are now conducting their own programmes to obtain immigrants from the I United Kingdom, and the association is most anxious to encourage its members to do 'this individually, as well as ' in any collective scheme. “It is, beyever, a matter of great concern to your asso- ! ciation, as well as to the federation, that the New Zealand Government shows so little enthusiasm to step up its immigration policy.”