MANY APPLICATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1946, Page 8

MANY APPLICATIONS

•PROSPECTIVE IMMIGRANTS FOR DOMINION BRITISH PEOPLE’S DESIRE (From E. G. WEBBER, N.Z. Press Association Correspondent.) (Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 1. One of the most noticeable effects of the war 'upon the people of Britain has been the tremendous stimulation in the desire for emigration. This is directed particularly to the Dominions and colonies, all of whose London offices are being deluged with a spate of inquiries from would-be settlers. New Zealand is receiving its full share in spite of the lack of encouragement which can. be given them at present. Postal inquiries at New Zealand House have averaged over 100 daily for the past 18 months, and in addition to these there has been a constant- stream of personal calls. So great has been the volume of inquiries that it has been found impossible to answer all of them individually, and the most that can be done is to deal with selected cases and supply the remainder with official literature. ... j

The National Service Department has now been made responsible for dealing with emigration inquiries and two officers of that department are at present en route to Britain. All Classes Represented.

The inquiries represent a complete cross-section of the British population. Many of them come from exservice people, but a remarkably large number come from middleaged couples with families. They represent every class, profession, and trade, and many come from people who have substantial sums to invest. More than half are prepared to pay their own passage and claim that they have friends or relatives in New Zealand who will find them -work.

A survey taken during an average week at New Zealand House is interesting. In that period, 611 inquiries were received from. British nationals and 41 from aliens. Of this total, 26 per cent, had relatives or friends in New Zealand who were prepared to help them or find them work, and 61 per cent, were ready to pay their own.passages. Money to i nvest A considerable number of inquirers expressed willingness to invest sums of £ 10,000 and upwards in establishing themselves in the Dominion. One man wanted to sell a large textile factory in the Midlands and buy a sheep farm. . Except in special cases no priority can be given to any of these inquirers and all New Zealand House can do is give them what information is available and refer them to shipping companies. A disappointing aspect of the inquiries is that very few women appear willing to do domestic work. On the other hand New Zealand appears likely to be able to remedy its shortage of mental hospital nurses without any trouble. A recent advertisement in. six British papers brought 200 replies. Further advertisements will be inserted shortly and from the total applications 200 will be selected and given priority passages.