SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17661, 23 December 1920, Page 6

SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS.

STRANDED IN AUSTRALIA. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. ADVANTAGE OF DIRECT ROUTE. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Wednesd??. Owing to the action of the British authorities in sending soldier immigrants to New Zealand via Australia some of them have been put in an awkward position in regard to transhipment, and owing to the shipping holdup in Australia several are now stranded there. The New Zealand Government has taken steps to house and feed them there in the meantime. The practice of sending these immigrants via Australia is opposed to the policy of the New Zealand Government, which has taken steps to see that it is not continued. The Cabinet will decide as to what steps should be taken in regard w> future batches. They are not New Zealand soldiers. As there is now no scarcity of shipping in England it is possible that the British authorities might be able to send thesa soldier immigrants direct to New Zealand in ships chartered for the purpose. Especially might this be so in view of the fact that while there is considerable unemployment in England there is a scarcity of labour here. During the Christmas holidays there will be further arrivals of immigrant ships at Auckland. Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of these arrivals notwithstanding the fact- that it is the holiday season, and Mr. Thomson, Under-Secretary of Immigration, has gons up to Auckland specially to see that tha arrangements are satisfactory.