IMMIGRATION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 29, 3 August 1926, Page 11

IMMIGRATION

STATE BOABD SUGGESTED.

Brief mention of the subject of immigration was made by Mr. W. J.l Poison in his presidential address at the conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day. "A number of immigrants are going to Canada, BhodeSia, Kenya Colony, ana Australia, as well as to New Zealand, ana the rate of migration from the Old Country is probably more rapid that we imagine," said Mr. Poison. "But it is not nearly rapid enough. Wo could increase the rate to this country. lam still of opinion that group settlement on our lighter lands can bo successfully carried out if the right class of applicants are selected. Heavy costs for stumping ana draining have made the West Australian scheme expensive, but with this handicap and with migrants taken haphazard from the cities of England, slightly more than 50 per cent, have been successfully settled on the lana. This is in itself a remarkable achievement. The Empire settlement scheme does not appear to be sufficiently elastic to be made use of \n. this country, but it is possible that our statesmen would be • able to come to some arrangement with the Imperial authorities if they so desired, which would enable us to participate in it. Australia in the meantime is taking rapia advantage of it. Canada and Rhodesia have also made agreements with the Imperial Government.

"I am satisfied that our own immigration authorities are fully alive to the importance of selecting migrants of good character and sound health. Under the management of Mr. Sondford, the present head of the Department in the High Commissioner's Office, very great pains are taken to see r that no doubtful cases slip by. The result during the last year or two has been a fine class of Government assisted migrant. At the same time it must not be forgotten that many nominated migrants reach New Zealand who are not Government assisted, and with whom the Immigration Department has consequently nothing, to do. I am still of opinion that we require a State subsidised immigration board to push on with the population of this country."