PHYSICALLY UNFIT?

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 5

PHYSICALLY UNFIT?

IMMIGRANTS TO AUSTRALIA, REPLY TO COMPLAINTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 30. The emigration officials, replying to Press cables from Australia alleging that recent batches of immigrants include people who ate physically unfit, and also many who are unwilling to become country workers, state that the allegations are either exaggerated, or relate to the small percentage of cases which the most rigorous regulations are unable entirely to eliminate. Tho cables specially mention West Australia, regarding which the officials point out that the regulations relating to that State are stricter than that of the other States. (West Australia excludes all applicants classified as having suffered war disabilities. The others accept them. No applicant is accepted for West Australia without reference to the officials who specially represent West Australia on the emigration staff of Australia House, and they are empowered to veto any application. Nevertheless West Australia is the only State which has complained since the department was established- Usually 90 per cent, of the applications were rejected, and tho balance of 10 per cent, was further reduced under rigorous medical inspection, first by British doctors, and secondly by the departmental medical officer. Hie medical standard was more severe than in the army. In reference to those unwilling to work in tho country, the officials point out that every emigrant signs a declaration that bo is prepared to undertake country work, and ho must furnish documortarv proofs that he possesses experience of working op the land.