NO PROMISES... Delegation Sought More Migrants

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30899, 4 November 1965, Page 1

NO PROMISES... Delegation Sought More Migrants

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 3.

A 22-man delegation representing employer organisations today spent an hour and a half with the Minister of Immigration (Mr Shand), seeking an increased number of Government sponsored migrants.

After the meeting, the spokesman for the delegation, Mr P. J. Luxford, said: “No promises were made by the Minister .... and there has been no finality reached in any aspect. “No-one can say the discussions have concluded. Undoubtedly there will be further discussions.”

The meeting was cut short by another appointment for Mr Shand. He told the press conference no decisions had been made.

“I act on the advice of my professionals but they (members of the delegation) say they doubt if the professionals are right,” Mr Shand said.

Immigration at the highest practicable level was vital to the attainment of full national stature, security of higher standard of living and f ull social develonment. accordine to the delegation’s submissions.

Members of the organisations were gravely concerned with the present shortage of manpower to fill vacancies in New Zealand’s skilled and unskilled labour forces. Many of the vacancies had remained open for some time in spite of advertising cam paigns offering higher wage rates and fringe benefits, said the submissions.

“Tn our view, a practical contribution to a greater population growth rate and correlated labour force is to increase substantially the rate of immigration. “Immigration, at the highest practicable level is vita! to the attainment of full national stature, security of higher standards of living and full social developments “It has been stated that each assisted immigrant costs at least £2OOO. “Not A Cost” “This of course, is not a cost when migrants are coming to empty work benches and existing idle machines Where such cost does occur it still represents a valuable capital investment producing immediate returns.” The submissions said members of the Government and the Monetary and Economic Council all advocated longterm planning for New Zealand.

“We also favour medium and long-term planning to enable continuity of business without the delays and stoppages occasioned by the stopgo policies regarding immigration which have existed in the Dominion for too long. “We contend that these stop-go policies have caused more inflationary pressures to New Zealand through their effects on production and administrative costs than any possible limited inflation which may result from greater immigration.”

The submissions said that up to a full year could elapse from the date of change in immigration policy until it became effective, and by that time economic conditions could have changed in the proposed emigrant country.

“It is our fear that changing conditions in the countries from which immigrants come may adversely affect our ability to obtain immigrants with the special skills needed, or even sufficient unskilled persons required by our industry. Birth Fail

“In view of the pronounced fall in the birth rate in New Zealand, it is even more important to plan ahead to ensure that our future labour supply is available when required " The submissions requested the Government to take urgent action to clear the present back-log of waiting immigrants, estimated to be several hundred persons, and increase the annual number of Government assisted immigrants to 8000

The Government was recommended to follow the example of Canada and Australia and extend its representation in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. “Additional representatives should be in .ndustrial areas to interview prospective migrants.

“We recommend also that procedures be streamlined to ensure the quick processing

of applications for approval to emigrate under government assisted schemes. “Improved transport arrangements should be made to bring the increased volume of immigrants to New Zealand. “Increased use should also be made of chartered ships and aircraft.” Year’s Wait The submissions claimed many migrants had waited for periods up to a year for ap proval, and in the interim a number had been lost to other countries. “We have been assured that capacity is available for greatly increased numbers to be brought to New Zealand "The promotional cam paign to attract migrants to come to New Zealand should be improved by the adoption of a more direct approach and by increased advertising throughout the United King dom.

“The advertising carried out by Canada and Australia in the United Kingdom is forceful and direct.” The submissions recoin mended an increase in accom modation for migrants immediately on arrival in New Zealand.

Also that the requirement that migrants of either sex be skilled and experienced in approved occupational categories, should be cancelled

“According to Labour Department information, notified vacancies in industry at June 30, 1965, show relatively equal shortages tn skilled and unskilled occupations.”

Other Submissions The submissions also recommended

The age limit applicable to both the Government assisted scheme and the nominated scheme should be amended to enable married and single persons from 18 to 45 years of age to qualify. “This means that the age limit for single persons should be raised from 35 to 45 years.” In order to obtain the addi tional number of persons required, it could be necessary to seek suitable migrants from other countries. The financial contribution required from assisted immigrants should be discontinued. “This would make our immigration terms no less favourable than those of other countries.”

The target of 8000 Government assisted immigrants should be adopted as a minimum and should be increased according to the requirements of industry.

The submissions claimed that since 1962 the net gain of permanent immigrants had decreased each year and the latest figures indicated that this trend was continuing. If the net gain in the number of permanent immigrants was declining. New Zealand could not expect to sustain increases in production with an average increase of the labour force of 2 to 3 ner cent a year compared to an increase in production of 6 per cent a year. “Increased automation is not applicable to all industries. so there is an urgent need for additional skilled and unskilled labour. “Cheapest” “Immigration is the quickest and cheapest method of obtaining such labour.” Not only skilled labour added to New Zealand's wellbeing said the submissions “The availability of unskilled and semi-skilled labour enables the optimum use of the labour force which, at oresent, is sometimes used to carry out unskilled work.” Additional workers in industry would reduce the need for emploverr constantly to -omnete against each other in a labour short market. This would reduce inflationary oressures.

A number of projects of national importance had been delayed because of labour

shortages, said the submissions. These included: A serious shortage of Government draughtsmen (318) had been considered responsible for delays in the penal institution construction programme and, in particular, the construction of the Paremoremo prison. A shortage of radar operators had caused restrictions on the use of radar services at Mangere and Whenuapai airports. According to the submission:: both the Labour and National parties had passed remits supporting increased immigration. Situation The present labour situation was one of increased demand for labour, a rise in the number of vacant jobs, a falling birth rate, a static level of Government assisted immigration and a falling net population gain from total immigration, according to the submissions. The delegation’s submissions advocated doubling the Government's announced policy of assisting 4000 immigrants a year. Quoting Labour Department figures, the submissions said the Government assisted 4532 immigrants in 1962-63., 4347 in 1963-64, and 4400 in 1964-65.