British still keen to migrate

Press, 8 December 1976, Page 2

British still keen to migrate

NZPA London Although New Zealand has put up the barriers, British families in their thousands still want to emigrate to a new life down under. “We have not been advertising for migrants for nearly three years now, but this has not put them off,” the retiring chief migration officer at New Zealand House (Mr Eric Rae) said recently. “There is still a very steady level of interest.”, Mr Rae, who is returning to a new post in Wellington, said an average 2000 inquiries a month were still being received at New Zealand House.

And as the British winter draws on, this figure is rising, he said. “But as things are, they will be lucky if 2000 a year actually get to New Zealand.” During four years in London — the last 12 months as chief migration officer — Mr Rae saw the highs and lows of activity in his department as the Government’s policy changed. Inquiries from prospective migrants hit a peak during the strike-troubled winter of 1973. At this time, Mr Rae’s department was besieged, with a long queue outside New

Zealand House and a total of more than 5000 inquiries a week from Britons anxious to emigrate. As the numbers of migrants entering New Zealand reached about 30,000 a year, the big clampdown came on April 2, 1974. All promotion for migrants ended and inquiries began to ease off, Mr Rae said. “But in view of the present situation, it is perhaps surprising that I still get so many letters and requests for application forms.” Mr Rae said that Australia’s recent resumption of advertising in Britain — Australia still needs British migrants — had probably

helped revive interest in going to New Zealand, although New Zealand had no promotion campaign itself. “Basically, the only people going to New Zealand from Britain now are those who have humanitarian grounds,” he said. "They are mainly aged parents and others going to join their families.” Mr Rae, who was bom in Oamaru, was originally posted to London as deputy chief migration officer. He took over as head of his department 12 months ago. On his return to Wellington, he will become a senior office inspector in the Labour Department.