OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT DELEGATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2753, 20 September 1923, Page 6

OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT DELEGATION.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISIT.

A meeting of representatives Oi local bodies was held last evening to make arrangements for the visit to Palmerston North of the Overseas Settlement Delegation, which arrives on Mondav. \ Cr. F. Jackson (deputy- • Mayor) presided. The chairman stated that the delo gation had come from overseas .to gain practical information in regara to immigration, and he desired that evervthing possible should be don e to enlighten the visitors as to what immigrants and soldiers would have to put up with. Mr. H. L. Young, president of tne Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, stated'that the visit of the delegation was an opportunity to put forward the claims of Manawatu. The present system of immigration was not all that might be desired, and the question was a serious one. The burden of the present system was that the immigrant necessitated teaching, and it was some time before the employer got a return. therefore, it was essential that the right kind of peoplo should be sent out here. Mr Ellis remarked that some immigrants made good, but the majority were failures. He stated that advertisements about the other side oL the world were very misleading, and there were a lot of " duds " coming out at the present time. Mr. P. T. Robinson endorsed the remark's of the two previous speakers, and spoke of the immigrants who Called. Many of the immigrants were misled, and it was not their own fault that they failed to make good. Lack of training in the work in which they were engaged was very evident, md a right system of immigration was essential.

"If people in England could be induced to start, soap, glass, motor and such-like factories out here," stated Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, " a big step would be taken towt.rd successful immigration."

Mr. A. J. Graham remarked that the class of immigrant should be such to bear the heat and burden of the day Mr. Fitzherbert's proposition in regard to factories being established would be a great means of providing avenues for artisans of various callings.

A programme as follow was decided on:—The visitors to be met at 8 p.m. on the evening of their arrival, and after a civic welcome, a meeting to b e held in the Council Chambers. On the following morning, at 9 o'clock, the visitors are to be taken for a tour of inspection of surrounding farms, and the leading manufacturing concerns of the town.

On the suggestion of Mr. H.- L. Young, it was decided that representatives of the Foxton, Levin and Shannon Chambers of Commerce be invited.