IMMIGRATION POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10542, 19 March 1920, Page 3

IMMIGRATION POLICY

GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS DETAILS OF AN IMPORTANT SCHEME. Details of the immigration policy to bo adopted by the Government have been sent to the provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union from the chief immigration officer, Mr H. D. Thomson. It is stated that the policy will comprise immigration unoer three headings: Appliod-for passages, nominated . passages, and the acceptance of ex-service men and women who are granted free passages to the Dominion under the Imperial oversea settlement scheme. APPMED-FOR. PASSAGES. Applied-for passages are confined to bona fide farmers, farm labourers, and domestics resident in the United Kingdom who make application to the High Commissioner for specially reduced-rate passages. Upon acceptance by the High Commissioner their names are forwarded to the New Zealand Immigration Department, and provision is made that employment awaits them upon arrival. The rates are as follow : —For domestics, free passages, with an allowance of £2 for expenses; for farm labourers and wives, £lO each; farmers and wives, £26 each. NOMINATED PASSAGES. Under the scheme of nominated pas6ages any permanent resident of the Dominion has the right to nominate 'any person .residing in the United Kingdom irrespective of relationship or occupation, provided a warrant is signed guaranteeing that employment will be awaiting the nominee, and that adequate provision will bo made for maintenance after arrival in the Dominion. These rates are as follow: Second-class, £52; third-class, twoberth, £23; third-class, four-horth, £26. FREE PASSAGES. In respect to Imperial Government free passages under the Imperial oversea settlement scheme, these are granted only to applicants who aro accept, able to the Government, and aro proceeding either ,to friends or assured employment. The immigration officer states that in connection with applied passages for farmers and farm labourers the Farmers’ Union may render some assistance in placing these immigrants in suitable employment after their arrival in the Dominion. Ho adds that it is not anticipated that shipping space will ho available for such persons for some little time, but the executive will be again communicated with in regard to the matter should its services be re. qnired.