THE IMMIGRATION TIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13866, 28 September 1908, Page 7

THE IMMIGRATION TIDE.

FARM AND DOMESTIC LABOUR. The Turakina, which arrived at Wellington on Friday' night, from London, brought over 200 passengers, including 46 assisted immigrants. A number of domestic servants are among the list. Another substantial addition to the population of the Dominion is expected to arrive in Wellington by the Athenic on October 6. Among those coming are agriculturists, fitters, engineers, joiners, cabinetmaker a, builders' labourers, a furniture de-signer, and 'a cement .maker. The Dominion, secretary of the New Zealand Fanners' Union lias received a, letter from the Minister for .'lmmigration regarding the resolutions -.of the Farmers' Union Conference relative to farm avid domestic labour. The Ministerial reply to these matters is that in the case of domestic workers the Government were prepared and have granted passages at reduced rates of £10 an adult, if the young women were possessed of the sum of £2, because there wa-s an unsatisfied demand, and the officers of tho Department were aware they could always find situations for them on arrival in the Dominion. Notwithstanding extensive notification throughout the public press, of the United Kingdom of the demand for domestic : workers in the Dominion and the concession, only a small number of applications for passages have been received by the High Commissioner. Persons who are engaged in agricultural pursuits are granted passages at reduced rates by the High Commissioner, if the head of the family will be possessed of capital of £25 upon arrival in the Dominion. The High Commissioner is fully alive to the necessity that exists in regard to farm and domestic workers, and no further instructions are'needed concerning the matter. ; The Government does not see its way to extend the present system of nomination to persons other than those who may be related. No capital qualification is insisted upon in the case of relations when nominations are approved and granted.