M.P. Replies To Question On Migrant Costs

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 8

M.P. Replies To Question On Migrant Costs

“The figure of £2OOO was I assessed by competent people trained in that field and includes a lot more than the £322 of the taxpayers’ money which brought your correspondent to this country,” said Mr H. J. Walker, member of Parliament for St. Albans, in reply to a letter to the editor of “The Press” from B. Milburn, which questioned Mr Walker's statement that it cost about £2OOO for every migrant brought into New Zealand. Mr Milburn’s letter was.— “The Press” of Tuesday had an article headed “Immigration of Skilled Workers Supported.” I question the statement therein made by Mr H. J. Walker, M.P., regarding the cost to New Zealand of about £2OOO for every migrant brought into New Zealand. Being a migrant myself. I would like to point out that I paid £5O towards the fare of my wife and myself. Then on arrival in New Zealand we received a Government letter saying that if we left New Zealand before two years were up we would be required to pay to the New Zealand Government the sum of £322, this being the balance of our fare cost. Therefore I can only assume that the cost to the New Zealand Government for my wife and myself was £322, not £2OOO each, making a grand total of £4OOO for the two of us, as stated by Mr Walker. Where does the £3678 difference come in?”

In his reply Mr Walker said:

“Presumably when he (Mr Milburn) arrived there was accommodation waiting for him; many immigrants make application for a State house on arrival. Your correspondent found hospitals, schools, universities, highly developed beach, park and recreation facilities, firstclass postal, telephone and transport facilities covering road, rail and air, an abundance of electricity and water, and many other amenities including a very generous Social Security system. He was accepted as a fullypaid shareholder in New Zealand.

“ Had your correspondent been the only immigrant to come to New Zealand he would have been absorbed unnoticed, but as there is an annual net gain of 19,000 immigrants, that is excess of arrivals over departures, New Zealand must build each year a district the size of Riccarton and Ashburton boroughs combined, along with the provision of all the amenities enumerated above to provide for our new New Zealanders, over and above that required to cater for our natural increase.

“New Zealand desperately needs more population and is prepared to pay for it. Your correspondent is welcome in this country, may he enjoy living here and make the most of the opportunities offered him,” Mr Walker said.