IMMIGRATION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11437, 6 February 1923, Page 6

IMMIGRATION

THE NEW AGREEMENT ■* IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT WILL SHARE COST. CONDITIONS AND FARES. The lSew agreement between the New Zealand Government and the British Government for mutual assistance to nominated immigrants has new been definitely completed, and the Minister in charge of the Immigration Department made a statement concerning it on Saturday. . “The new agreement,” he said, _ _ ls far more favourable to the Dominion than the old arrangement. Furthermore, it limits assisted immigration strictly, to persons at Home who are nominated from New . Zealand, except in the case of domestics, farm labourers, and miners. , The comparative figures given below wiil also show that the terms to migrants to New Zealand arc more favourable th.au to those to other Dominions. “The adult immigrant to New Zealand now receives a grant towards tne fare from the Imperial Government of £5, and from the New Zealand Government of £lO, leaving the amount to bo found £lB. For children under 12 years tho Imperial Government pays £8 ss, New Zealand £8 os, and the immigrant nil. For boys 12 to 16 years, ,and girls 12 to 18 years, the Imperial Government pays £7 10s, the New Zealand Government £7 10s, the immigrant £lB. “To Canada the fare is £lB, and there are no Imperial or Canadian assistance grants. “To Australia the steamer fares are the same as to New Zealand. The Imperial 'Government pays £6, Australia £6, the immigrant £24. For ohildren under 12 the Imperial Government pays £3, Australia £3, the immigrant £l2. In to* case of boys 12 to IS and girls 12 to 18 years the Imperial Government pays £6,. Australia £6, immigrant £24. “The immigrant to Canada is faced with expensive railway fares across the continent; in the case of Australia the immigrant also pays railway fares; the New Zealand arrangement is that either the shipping company or the Government provides railway transportation free to the immigrant to his destination. HOW THE AGREEMENT WORKS OUT.

“Under the old ‘nominated’ scheme a man with a wife and with four children under 12 years of age would have had to pay £lO4 to come to New Zealand, travelling third-class in a fourberth cabin. Under the new arrangement, at existing passage rates, he pays only £44, and the oost to the New Zealand Government is lees alee than formerly. To go to Australia, that same family would pay £96. The dotails of the New Zealand figures, for a man, wife, and four children, are: OLD ARRANGEMENT. £ Immigrants share, 4 fares at £26 104 New Zealand’s share, 4 fares at £l6 (less discounts £8) 56 NEW ARRANGEMENT. Immigrant pays 2 at £2O 40 Immigrant pays 4 at' £1 4 'Total £44 New Zealand pays 2at £lO ....;. 20 New Zealand pays 4 at £8 os 33 Total t £52 Imperial Government pays 2at £5 10 Imperial Government pays 4 at £8 5s 33 Total £43 “To Australia the cost to the immifrant for himself and his family would e £96, to the Imperial Government £24, and to the Australian Government £24. GREAT ATTRACTION JO THE IMMIGRANT. " “The new scheme must, therefore, of--fer a great attraction to the immigrant to come to New Zealand. However, to come here at so small cost he must be nominated by friends in New Zealand who require to satisfy the immigration officer that work an-d accommodation are Absolutely guaranteed him on his arrival, while the High Commissioner reasonably assures himself that the immigrant will make a good and reputable citizen. Under no other system are immigrants now assisted to the Dominion the overseas settlement scheme for ex-6ervice men having terminated on December 31st last. The Dominion is, therefore, able to offer to desirable prospective citizens from Home the best rates of travel of any British Dominion, and on her part her nominated system ensures for her only the ‘most desirable.’ In this way also she is taking only such people as she can conveniently absorb economically. “In placing these details before the public,” concluded the Minister, “I de sire to emphasise what no doubt has occurred to those who have followed them, that the scheme can be a success cnly if nominations are made. Citizens who have friends at Home desiring to come to New Zealand should without delay take the necessary steps to enable them to take advantage of the very liberal concessions now offered. Ample accommodation has Been secured by the Immigration Department on various direct liners sailing during the next few months. So the time is favourable for immediate application for passages.”