IMMIGRATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 47, 7 February 1920, Page 5

IMMIGRATION.

AN ACTIVE POLICY. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR ALL CLASSES OF LABOUR (Per Prew Association.] Wellington, Feb. 6. The Prime Minister has issued a statement on the immigration policy of the Dominion, saying that the High Commissioner has .been informed by the New Zealand Government that there is a’ great shortage of labour in New Zealand, both skilled and unskilled, that all ordinary unskilled labour can find immediate employment on Government ana Municipal works and from private employers; that farm labour is extremely short and married men with their wives are preferred; and that carpenters, bricklayers* miners and mechanics are required in large numbers and command high wages. Farm labourers and their wives will be provided with passages on a payment of £lO each, to the Government paying the amount of 3rd class fare in excess of £lO (that is, an average of about £3O in each case). For farmers and all classes of labour the Government is prepared to grant assistance to the extent of £l3 per adult. The Government has also requested the High Commissioner to place himself immediately in communication, with the Imperial authorities with, the object of obtaining for New Zealand a supply of immigrant soldiers, who may proceed under the Imperial Government’s scheme of free passages. The High Commissioner has also been authorised to offer free passages to domestic servants and to pay £2 each to such immigrants in adaition to free pas sages. NOMINATED IMMIGRANTS. The experience of the Government is that immigrants nominated by residents in 'New Zealand become permanent settlers and are more satisfactory than those who come here without knowing much of the country, and having no relatives or connections in the Dominion. Just at present there are several thousands of this class waiting for shipping accommodation. A few days ago the “Bremen,” which arrived m Wellington with over one thousand passengers, had of this number 180 nominated immigrants. The “Athenic,” which is due the Ist of next montli, has 150 of the same class on board. The Go vernment has at present in hand over £50,000 on account of passage money for intending immigrants nominated by citizens of this coun try. , LAND WOMEN.

We are informed also that a number of “laud women,” those who assisted to keep agriculture going in Britain during the war, are likely to coms to New Zealand. Their: passages will be paid by the Imperial Government in the same way as soldiers. SOLDIERS’ FIANCEES. ' Then there are between 700 and 800 girls, the fiancees of New Zealand soldiers, waiting their turn. In the case of the latter the New Zealand Government is contributing £26 each towards their fares. As indicated on a previous occasion, there are still nearly, three thousand New Zealand citizens who were in Britain ou war service, and they must be brought back to their own country as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.