Applications Under Immigration Scheme “Rather Disappointing”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22940, 7 May 1949, Page 6

Applications Under Immigration Scheme “Rather Disappointing”

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 7. Encouragement is to be given by the Government to the scheme under which individuals and employers can nominate suitable persons for emigration to New Zealand with Government assistance.

“It is hoped to secure a greater number of new settlers under this scheme in future,” said the Minister of Immigration, Mr- A. McLagan, yesterday. “Inquiries by persons in New Zealand who are interested in nominating friends, relatives or prospective employees would be welcomed by district officers of the Department of Labour and Employment. “Of 892 new settlers who will arrive in the Atlantis on May 19, 82 have been nominated by friends, relatives or employees in New Zealand,” said the Minister. Although some 800 nominations had been received the number of applications under the scheme had been rather disappointing and it would appear that the provisions under which persons might be nominated for free or assisted passages were not sufficiently known.

“Under the nomination scheme any private individual, as well as an employer, can nominate any number of British residents of the United Kingdom for free and assisted passages as long as the person nominated is unmarried and not more than 35 years of age, is willing to take up a reason-ably-essential occupation and the nominator can arrange accommodation,” concludes the Minister.