IMMIGRANTS TO BE ASSISTED BY N.Z. GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 5

IMMIGRANTS TO BE ASSISTED BY N.Z. GOVERNMENT

WELLINGTON, Mar. 21.

The Minister of Immigration, Mr. A. McLagan, announced that, following discussions with the United Kingdom Govt., Mr. W. J. Jordan High Commissioner, is now negotiating with the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs with a view to the conclusion of agreements for the assistance of prospective emigrants to New Zealand.

Draf* agreements covering conditions under which assistance will be afforded have already been submitted to the Dominions office. It is hoped to conclude two agreements with the United Kingdom Government, the first being applicable to ex-servicemen and women discharged from the forces and the second being for the benefit of civilian residents of the United Kingdom under the terms of the Empire Settlement Act.

“In framing the proposals for a revival of the scheme of assisted immigration,” said the Minister, “the report of the Select Committee on Population has been carefully studied, both in relation to its long-term and short-term proposals. The successful rehabilitation of our returned servicemen and women, the maintenance of conditions of full employment, the development of new industries, the expansion of existing units, and the 'generally buoyant prospects of the Dominion’s economy, all contribute to the conclusion that an expanded flow of immigrants of selected types can profitably be absorbed with benefit to themselves and ourselves

“Notwithstanding that strenuous efforts have already been made by the New Zealand Government to secuie additional shipping accommodation, it seems clear that the dearth of shipping will seriously restrict the number cf immigrants that can be brought to New Zealand in the immediate future. It will be desirable in the initial stages of the immigration to give preference to young single men and women who will undertake employment in relatively essential industries.”

New Zealand is insufficiently equipped to meet the needs of the existing numbers of families who require housing accommodation and any large influx of additional families in the immediate future would involve hardships for themselves or for other families. It is intended in the initial stages to give preference to single men and women who are prepared to undertake employment in the more essential industries and services where there is an acute shortage of labour. In a number of avenues of essential employment accommodation is available for employees and it will consequently be advisable to afford every facility to immigrants who will be employed in those industries.

For instance, selected immigrants for employment in hospitals will be given the highest priority for, not only is there a serious shortage of labour for this vital service, but ample accommodation is immediately available in all the larger public hospitals. “I am sure that no question will be raised as to the desirability of affording preference to immigrants for all types of hospital employment. The Government is nevertheless anxious to obtain as far as practicable a steady flow of immigrants, both male and female, for other types of essential employment, including our manufacturing industries.” . It is now practicable to reopen the system of nominating immigrants and their families by New Zealand residents at the present juncture. This system may, however, be adopted at. a later stage when immigration on a more general basis is possible.

A number of steps have already been taken in preparation for the revival of assisted immigration. The administration of immigration matters has been taken over by the National Employment Service, which maintains an up-to-date survey of the employment position throughout the Dominion. A series of booklets has been prepared by the department to give prospective immigrants full information.

Two senior officers of the department have joined the High Commissioner’s Office in London to handle immigration work. The Government proposed to set up an Immigration Advisory Council of representatives of employers and employees, to advise him as Minister of Immigration and to assist his department in implementing the Government's immigration policy. It was proposed to utilise the committees established under the Employment Act for assessing the needs of their particular industries and in arranging local allocation within' their respective industries of available immigrants.