PEOPLE WANTED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1912, Page 2

PEOPLE WANTED

AUSTRALIA AND IMMIGRATION [FBOM OUR OWN COBBESrONDENT,} SYDNEY, 7th September. What has been communicated to us recently about the intention of New Zealand to take action to get a larger share in the tide of immigration which is now moving southwards from the Old World, appears to be regarded here not so much as a prospective reduction in the numbers of immigrants for Australia as a promised strengthening of the appeals to come to the southern outposts of the Empire, to the advantage of Australia as well as of the Dominion. In view of New Zealand's apparent intention it may be of interest to give a few particulars as to how things are done here. New South Wales may be instanced, because since the beginning of the year this State has received no less than 8915 immigrants, • and, . of course, this has been accompanied by instruction as to the best way of receiving and housing the "tweed caps.''. The term just used is a colloquial one applied to immigrants generally, because of the marked preference of the new arrivals for caps as headgear. A resident in Sydney is struck by the rapidity with which big batches ot immigrants are absorbed. On Friday last 2381 arrived by three steamers, but it was only for a few hours that there were evidences, quite unobtrusive, of the landing of such a large; contingent. Agents of the immigration department await the arrival of every batch of immigrants on the wharves. In some capes agents board the steamers at the last port of call before Sydney, and give the newcomers all manner 01 useful information regarding accommodation and employment. A proportion of the immigrants are despatched forthwith to places where farmers are awaiting them. l]he same is the case as regards domestics. Those who cannot be sent to positions right away are directed to approved lodging-houses or to the immigrants' homes at the waterside, conducted by the Methodist and the Anglican denominations, which, with the Roman Catholic, show much concern for the new arrivals, and co-operate well with the Government officials. As far as pecuniary assistance from ' the Government is ( concerned, there are two classes of immigrants— "-assisted " and "nominated." The former are selected in the Old Countries for employment as farm hands in the case of the men, and as domestics in the case of the women. They pay £6 as passage money, plus a deposit made on the other side, with the object of allowing new arrival to carry on in this country. The " nominated " immigrants are nominated by friends in Australia. They are assisted in varying degrees. For their fares they pay from £3 to £8, and their friends here pay part. It is felt to be obligatory with the Government authorities to see that these two classes are in employment without delay, and it is claimed that this obligation has been thoroughly discharged, and with success, up to the present. 'There are, of course^' a few cases of square pegs which- will not fit into round holes. Some of the people come out entirely on ■their own account and pay full fares in the ordinary way. These, too, are assisted to secure employment by the Immigration Department officials, when such help is sought. From time to time trade union officials,, complain that men who have been in jobs for years have been summarily discharged in order to make way for immigrants, but the complaints on this score do not seem to ha+emuch substance in them when investigation is made. j