ASSISTED PASSAGES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5150, 11 July 1927, Page 3

ASSISTED PASSAGES.

A PECULIAR POSITION.

HUSBAND CLASSED AS UNFIT.

A peculiar case in respect to assisted passages to immigrants is reported in Dunedin. The immigrant in question, who has “made good” and wishes to become a permanent resident, but who was unable to bring out his wife and child from Home, is working As a boilermaker.

The man and his family, who desired to come to New* Zealand under the Government system of assisted passages, submitted themselves for medical examination in London. The wife and child passed the doctor, but the man was “turned down.” Undeterred, however, he paid his own passage to New Zealand to try his fortune here. He obtained work, and has done so well that he determined to make a home here. Desirous, of having his wife and child with him, he applied to the department for nominated passages for them, as they had been passed “fit.” He naturally thought there would be no difficulty. The department had informed him, however, that under its regulations it cannot grant assisted passages to his wife and child. He is not able to pay the full fare for his fajnily. and representations are being made to the department on the man’s behalf. Though the man was not passed by the medical officer at Home he has been engaged in fairly strenuous work since his arrival here some months ago, and is doing well. The regulation under which the-department is If acting is evidently that where one member of the family is suffering from certain complaints the whole of. the fa.mily will be prevented from sailing.