PASSAGES AND PROSPECTS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 6

PASSAGES AND PROSPECTS

New Zealand is commended by Mr. Amery for the excellence of its passage arrangements for immigrants. The liberal assistance given by this Dominion (in conjunction with the Home Government, it should be added) is substantially greater than that of any other Dominion. But this applies only to the transportation costs. Mr. Amery has nothing to say, either good or bad, concerning prospects when the immigrants are here. We have Sir William Windham's statement that newcomers are well looked after—in other words, the administration is good ; but the only independent comment upon prospects or policy has been rather unfavourable. It is, then, upon policy and prospects that attention should be concentrated if New Zealand's capacity for receiving migrants is to be increased c even maintained. We believe it is admitted, by those who have given thought to the subject, that the scope for large-scale settlement in New Zealand is small. This being so, it is plain that the most must be made of small-scale settlement opportunities. Group immigration Mr. Amery holds to be desirable, but if it is impossible in this Dominion we may, by improving our social service organisation, counteract the disabilities which arise when people are "peppered over the country." In this effort there is scope for all kinds of unofficial organisations, and for the Government iv co-ordi-nating the work of the unofficial bodies. If there is no effort, the favourable passage agreement will not help New Zealand to obtain the population desired. People who are desirable as settlers will not bring their families all this way—even if it costs them little—unless they are assured of good prospects upon arrival.