N.Z. Popular With Dutch Migrants

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30998, 2 March 1966, Page 18

N.Z. Popular With Dutch Migrants

New Zealand was popular with people in Holland who were contemplating migration, said the Dutch migration officer in the South Island (Mr J. J. A. de Moor) in Christchurch yesterday. Mr de Moor’s term of office in New Zealand has ended. He said thousands of Dutch people had come to New Zealand during his time in office. “And I believe the majority of them have settled down very well.” Mr de Moor said that while the present generation of new migrants would never be completely assimilated, they had become extremely well integrated. He said the basic reason for emigration from Holland was

not one of economic gain. It was more a desire for space from congested living and getting away from the tremendous competition at home. Mr de Moor said that there had been a large two-way traffic of parents and relatives between the Dutch in the Dominion and those at home. This had done a lot to create strong ties of friendship between the two countries.

During his period as a migration officer in the Dominion Mr de Moor said he had observed many changes in the life of the country. There was tremendous growth and development in both islands and the New Zealander himself had become more cosmopolitan. On Saturday Mr de Moor will leave Christchurch with hjs wife and son for South Africa, where he is to take up the appointment of senior migration officer in Johannesburg. He will leave behind a daughter who will remain until she has completed her nursing training. Mr de Moor said that he was leaving not only a lot of Dutch friends but a great number of New Zealand friends whom he would count as such for the rest of his life.