IMMIGRATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16138, 15 January 1913, Page 11

IMMIGRATION.

SOUTHLAND PROPOSALS. [From Oca Correspondent.] INVERCARGILL, January 13. At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union for the provincial district of Southland, the following letter from, the dominion secretary was read:— "The New Zealand Government has at present under consideration the question of immigration in regard to farm labourers and domestics, and the Minister (the Hon F. H. D. Bell) has asked to be supplied with some definite particulars of the requirements of the dominion, both in respect to class of labour and numbers, and I have been instructed by tho dominion president (Mr J. G. Wilson) to take early steps to draw up a list of farmers in your locality who require labour now or within the of the next two or three months. You might consult with your chairman as to the best and quickest way of gotting this information, so that you may be able to advi6e me by January 20, or as soon after as possible. We have pointed out to the Minister the difficulty of collecting this information hurriedly, but we are anxious to impress upon the Government the need for a systematic policy, and wo are dependent upon branches for the necessary proof of the great demand for labour that we believe to exist all over the dominion. Will you, therefore, kindly furnish me with the list required, and when sending it on, I would be glad if you will state what you believe to bo a fair estimate of the requirements in your locality." After considerable discussion, the following motion was carried—-" That tho attention of tho Prime Minister be directed to the present lack of labour in country districts, which tends to provent farmers from having their actual necessary ivork carried out, and also proper cultivation of the land, which causes consequent loss in production therefore severe loss to the dominion, and that tho Government be requested to relieve the present unsatisfactory position by giving encouragement to the best class of farm labourers in the Old Country to emigrate; and that, in the opinion of this executive, there are openings in Southland alone for from 500 to 1000 men of the proper class."

The introduction of immigrants through the Central (Unemployed) Body of London was also discussed, and tho secretary (Mr Jt T. Prain) was instructed to advise branches that he was prepared to receive applications from farmers, and that the list, supplied by the London body could be inspected at any time and selections made from it.