EXPERIENCED FARM WORKERS AMONG NEW SETTLERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 6

EXPERIENCED FARM WORKERS AMONG NEW SETTLERS

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, July 22. ' Details of a party of 327 new settlers due to arrive in Wellington aboard the Rangitata on July 28 were realised today by the Minister of Immigration, Mr. A. McLagan. Of the new settlers 237 had been granted either free or assisted passages and the remaining 90 paid their own fares, but would be g ranted priority immigration berths, said the Minister.

A group, which was of great interest on this occasion, consisted of 41 experienced farm workers. The advance reports on these men were excellent and there was keen competition among farmers to engage them. Also aboard were G 5 women and girls for hospital nursing staff and for domestic work in hospitals and institutions, 18 men for coal mines, 12 men for sawmilling and forestry, 37 labourers for work in building and allied trades, and 15 women and girls for employment in the manufacture of men's and boy’s clothing. The balance of the party was made up mainly of workers for the footwear, printing and engineering trades, woollen mills and general factory work. Some staff for the Post and Telegraph Department completed the list-

The Minister concluded by saying that 105 of the Rangitata party would be going to the South Island. The allocations to districts had been made by the Department of Labour and Employment in conjunction with a subcommittee of the Immigration Advisory Council and had been spread from Whangarei to Invercargill.