FLAM TO BRING TEN THOUSAND ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS TO N.Z. YEARLY OUTLINED BY MINISTER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23244, 4 May 1950, Page 4

FLAM TO BRING TEN THOUSAND ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS TO N.Z. YEARLY OUTLINED BY MINISTER

(P.A.)

WELLINGTON, May 4.

An important statement regarding’ the Government’s future immigration policy was made yesterday by the Minister of Immigration, Mr. W. Sullivan. The -Minister stated that since assuming office lie had devoted a good deal of attention to the question of immigration with a view to ascertaining just what might be done to alleviate the present acute labour shortage by embarking upon an expanded immigration scheme.

One of the first steps taken by the Government was to set up a special Cabinet committee to consider various aspects of this important matter and after consultations with the Immigration Advisory Council, on which employers’ and workers’ organisations and the .Returned Services Association are represented, a comprehensive report was submitted to the Government.

“Whilst the Government is particularly anxious to build up the population at the maximum possible late, consistent with the demand for workers in all types of productive and servicing employment. there are factors which have an important bearing upon the rale at which new settlers can be satisfactorily absorbed,” said the Minister. “Not the least of these are the present housing shortage and the need for additional shipping. Another • important factor is that, in recent months, some difficulty has been experienced in securing unmarried immigrants from the United Kingdom. It will be generally agreed that, to promote the economic development and to increase the relative security of the country, New Zealand should step up her immigration programme. “The Government has, therefore, decided to extend (he immigration scheme with the object of bringing to New Zealand a minimum of 10,000 assisted immigrants per annum. “Having regard, however, to accommodation, transport and other problems, which must be overcome if any substantial increase in the present rate of immigration is to be achieved, it will be appreciated that the annual intake in the immediate future must necessarily be at a somewhat lower rate.

immigration unless the scheme was extended to include married workers and their families and it had. accordingly, been decided to extend the assistedj immigration scheme to cover certain | categories of married workers with up to two children from the United King- ! dom.

However, as the number of married persons who could be accepted was limited by the need to provide accommodation. the Government would investigate the possibility of securing a number of single men and women from European countries, particularly Holland. Although it had been decided to extend the scheme to married workers from the United Kingdom it would be possible to provide temporary accommodation for only a limited number of family groups. It would, therefore, be necessary to give preference in the selection of married persons to tradesmen and their families for employment on hydro electric construction projects where accommodation would be provided. and to building and allied tradesmen and other essential productive and servicing workers, nominated by friends, relatives, or employers, who could accommodate them on arrival in New Zealand. Camps Suggested

“With a view to facilitating the acceptance of the maximum number of families from the United Kingdom, it is proposed to establish holding camps to accommodate a limited number ot families of building and allied tradesmen until transit housing accommodation is available for them,” said the Minister. “Husbands will be selected for and be employed on the construction of houses in both rural and urban areas. “The Government is anxious to alleviate the housing shortage, which is due in large measure to the present shortage of labour in the building and allied industries. As it has not been possible to secure unmarried tradesmen from overseas there is no option but to accept married tradesmen if the necessary additional labour is to be obtained.

Immediate Prospect

"Immediate action will, however, be taken to facilitate the acceptance of additional immigrants and it is confidently anticipated that a substantial increase on the present average rate of approximately 2500 assisted immigrants per annum will be achieved. “The difficulty being experienced in securing unmarried British immigrants will necessarily involve the acceptance of a considerable number of married people from the United Kingdom, or alternatively a large number of single non-British immigrants. “Historically New Zealand has always preferred immigrants from Britain and this will continue to be the basic feature of the Government's future immigration policy." With a view to ensuring that the maximum possible number of British migrants would be secured the Government had decided to extend the present limits for all British migrants from 35 to 45 years and to provide free passages for all British migrants selected under the scheme, continued the Minister.

"Acceleration of house building in both rural and urban areas is an essential prerequisite to the further development of the Government’s immigration programme and the acceptance of building tradesmen will contribute materially to a solution of our housing problem.” The Minister emphasised that until arrangements could be made to provide the necessary additional transit accommodation and for the provision of additional shipping, it would not be possible to proceed with the selection of married workers, except for tradesmen for hydro-electric construction works and those persons nominated bv friends, relatives. or employers In New Zealand, who could arrange married accommodation for them. Similarly, in the case of non-British immigrants, it would be some time before the Governments proposals could be implemented as it would be necessary to enter into negotiations and to conclude agreements with the Governments concerned.

In the past British migrants, except those who had served in the armed forces, had been required to contribute £lO to the cost of the fare to New Zealand. Extension To Married Workers

It was anticipated that notwithstanding these modifications to the conditions of the existing scheme it would not be possible to achieve any substantial increase in the present rate of