CHURCH IMMIGRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 12

CHURCH IMMIGRATION.

ANGLICAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

EXTENSION OF OPERATIONS.

The annual report of the Church of England Immigration Committee, submitted to tho Diocesan Synod yesterday, records an extension of its work. As n result of the visit to .New Zealand of Lord Lovat, who made representations to the Government on behalf of tho committee, it had received a grant of £3OO from tho Immigration Department. In addition, it was expected to receive £450 a year from the British Government .through the Church of England Council of Empire Settlement. Local subscriptions, however, would still be necessary. / Mr. J. T. Williams, formerly a membpr of the committee, had been appointed fulltime secretary, and so much had tho work increased that an office had had to be rented and an assistant engaged. It was intended that Mr. Williams slioultl make lours of inspection, visiting all lads under tho committee's care at loast once a year.

.?' The need of evolving a practical scheme of land settlement for lads brought out under the Church of England and other schemes, had been urged upon the Immigration Department. This was very important as lads wero apt to become disheartened on seeing no provision being made for them to obtain farm? of their own in, due courso. There were already somo brought out in early drafts who were capable of managing farms of'their,own. It was hoped the question %vould be considered further next year. A total of 355 had boen brought out under tho scheme, including 1&3 between September, 1928, and July, 1929. In relation to diocesan boundaries these were placed as follows:—Auckland, 118; Waikato, 152; Wellington, 14; Waiapu, 51; Nelson, 7; Christchurch, 4; Dunedin, 2.

Two had died and five had returned to their relatives. Of tho 146 lads who had been in New Zealand for two years tho committee was still in touch with all but 14.

Those coming out in .this year's draft had agreed to a new schomo. Half their wages were payable to the committee, which banked tho money on their behalf. Thra gave more control over the youths and a closer touch with the progressive advances in their' wages."" On the whole, tho typo of lad brought out was being fully maintained, Tliero were still large areas in the Dominion where there should bo. a wide field for oxtonding tho work, and it was hoped even greator help would bo forthcoming from farmors.