STAFF RECRUITING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22374, 5 July 1947, Page 6

STAFF RECRUITING

CRITICISM RECEIVED ADVERTISEMENTS ABROAD SOME MISUNDERSTANDING (P.A.) WELLINGTON. July 5. "It is most undesirable that New Zealand firms should advertise in the British press calling tor applications lor employment in New Zealand. Such advertisements would only cause much misunderstanding and ill feeling and would not reflect favourably on flic Dominion." said the Minister of Immigration, Mr. A. McLagan. The Minister said one firm had advertised in England for building tradesmen. saying that the firm was willing to nominate persons wishing to come to New Zealand Payment of Passages The advertisement aid not state whether the firm proposed to pay the steamer passages to New Zealand, or how or when they hoped to be able to arrange shipping accommodation. A number of other firms had ad.vr tised previously on similar lines. Mr McLagan said the result had been that the New Zealand immigration officer in London had been faced with numerous inquiries ‘from persons seeking further information. Considerable embarrassment had been cau.-ed by having to explain to these people that it was not part of the Government's scheme, that priority passages could not be arranged, and that no information was available regarding the payment of passages. Married people had also to be advised of the difficult housing situation. Mr. McLagan said that except in exceptional circumstances priority berths secured for the Government’s immigration scheme could net be allotted to bring people from Britain specifically for employment by private firms or individuals. Discussions by 1.L.0. As evidence of the fact that matters such as this were seriously viewed, the Minister said a drail convention had been prepared by the International Labour Organisation that member countries should enact and enforce penalties lor the repression of misleading propaganda relating to immigration. and that Governments should exercise supei virion over advertisements or other forms of publicity relating to employment in one territory ofTered by persons in another territory. This draft convention was at present under consideration.

Mr. McLagan asked that private firms or individuals, or other nongovernmental organisation, should retrain from placing such advertisements. as the one referred to in overseas papers, without first consulting the immigration division of his department so that full information could be placed before those to whom the advertisement was addressed.