POPULATION FROM WITHOUT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 128, 17 May 1923, Page 2

POPULATION FROM WITHOUT.

GOV ER \ M ENT’S 1M MIG R ATION POLICY. STATEMENT BY MR. NOSWORTHY Wellington, May 16. Tlie Minister of Immigration (the Hon. W. Nosworthy,) has issued the following statement regarding th<* Government’s immigration policy:— The importance of a sound immigration and land settlement policy was apparent to the Government when it took office in 1912. with the result that a separate Immigration Department was created in 1913, and from that time onward, with the exception of the war period, there has heen a steady flow of immigrants of the right class from the United Kingdom to the Dominion, practically all ot whom have been satisfactorily absorbed without disturbing the industrial conditions of the Dominion. Early in 1914 a juvenile immigration policy (ages 16 to 20 years) and land settlement scheme were on the point of being brought into operation. In fact, under the former two parties each of 50 farm boys were brought to the Dominion. THE WAR INTERRUPTION.

When the war broke out immigration for the time being was suspended until after the repatriation of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, with the exception of facilities granted to enable the wives and families and fiancees of members of the above-mentioned force to proceed to their new homes. At this period the Government had already commenced its scheme of settling returned soldiers on the land, and therefore it was not possible to offer any special concessions to immigrants for land settlement. THE INFLUX RENEWED. However, in 1920 the Government decided to again commence a vigorous immigration policy, and with that end in view accepted immigants under the Imperial Government’s oversea settlement sceme. which provided for free passages foi ex-members of the Tinlierial forces, both army and navy, together with their dependents. The Government also opened up its own nominated policy. by allowing a resident of the Dominion the privilege of nominating any person residing in the United Kingdom, irrespective of relationship or occupation. This resulted in 10.107 immigrants arriving in the Dominion during the period April, 1920, to March 31. 1921. which constituted a record number since 1879. The majority of these people were absorbed in the country districts and have become a real live asset to the Dominion. Unfortunately, at the beginning of . 1921. the grave financial and commercial outlook, which was universal and i really an aftermath of the war, made its presence felt in New Zealand. . Therefore the Government reluctantly decided that certain restrictions were , necessary regarding the acceptance of imigrants under the oversea settlements scheme. This was the means of curtailing the number of arrivals which otherwise coulld have been readily and satisfactorily absorbed. EMPIRE SETTLEMENT ACT. In 1922 tlie Imperial Government nlaced on the Statutes an Act entitled the Empire Settlement Act. 1922, which authorised the Imperial Government to co-operate with the Gov- : ernment of any part of His Majesty’s dominions, with a view to affording joint assistance to suitable persons in I the United Kingdom who intend to settle in any piart of His Majesty’s dominions. An agreed scheme under this Act may be either (a) a development of land .settlement, or (b) a scheme for facilitating settlement in or migration to an}’ part of His Majesty’s overseas dominions by assistance with passages, initial allowance, special training, or otherwise. For reasons already stated there has heen no opportunity for the Government to develop a special land settlement scheme for new arrivals. However, they are eligible to take advantage of the privileges under the Government Advances to iSettlers Act. AN ADVANTAGEOUS SCHEME. In view of these circumstances, it has been decided to hold in abeyance for a further period of twelve months the question of entering into the scheme under (a) ; but with regard to (b). an agreement has been entered into between the two Governments which completely overshadows similar agreements made with other parts of the Empire, as the following comparison will show:—The cost of passages for a man. wife, and four children of ages between 3 and 12 years to Canada is £2O; to Australia £96 ; and to New Zealand £36. The Government is fully alive to the importance of the question of immigration, and its present policy, under which an average of 8000 souls per annum has been absorbed during the last three yesar, has proved to be most beneficial to the Dominion. Under this policy provision is made whereby the best class of settlers can be procured, primary and secondary industries catered for and an individual resident of the Dominion can secure his friends from the United Kingdom at the lowest fares and 'under the most advantageous contritions ever offered to the people of New Zealand.