IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12459, 29 May 1926, Page 2

IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

PRIVATE NOMINATIONS WORK OP THE ASSOCIATION. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, May 28. There has been a great deal of criticism of the immigration system recently. There is no doubt that under private nomination some of the immigrants have landed without a/shadow of guarantee, and have had urgent need-for a helping hand which fortunately jg "always ready at the office of the British Isles Association in Auckland; '

This organisation, which has developed from a)’social club into the immigrant service, has been able to find employment for many, some of whom had found that their nominators had no means of doing so. One case that camo under its notice was that of a man and wife and four children who were nominated by a labourer with a family of the same size and who was out of work when the family landed. In another case five men had been nominated by a woman who was oarning only enough to keep herself; and in a third instance the nominator had left for Australia before his people arrived. However, considering the number of immigrants, only a small proportion have had difficulty in tiding over the period between their arrival, and the time they obtained • employment. The British Isles Association, in practically every case referred to it have boon successful in finding work of somd kind. According to the secretary, Mr A. R. Roy, there are only rare cases where new arrivals are practically without means. .The people of two ships, totalling about 1000, brought with them in bankdrafts a sum of £BO,OOO in addition to the cash in their pockets, and it is considered the great majority have sufficient funds to enable them “to stand a siege.” The functions of the 1 association have recently been officially extended. It has been appointed the Auckland representative of the British Domiinions Eknignjion Society of Britain, under approval of the British and New Zealand Governments, and from the latter receives a subsidy of £250 a year. Thus it becomes the official nominator for Auckland under the system. The British Dominions Emigration Society submits for nomination lists of people with full particulars as to their occupation, financial standing, etc. From these the council selects the names of those whoso qualifications will, guarantee them employment, eo far none has arrived under its nomination, but fourteen groups, mostly family groups, comprising about fifty souls,' have been nominated, a great majority being .farm workers for whom employment is waiting. A few firstclass tradesmen for whom there are openings are included. In no case will nomination be accepted for labourers or unskilled men or any class for whom there is no reasonable prospect. Private nomination will still continue, but the influence of such a discriminating body as the British Isles Association, upon selection of a considerable section and in concentrating upon finding farm workers, will be valuable. 'Another very useful function of the association is the sending to all immigrant boats of representatives who meet people, not morely to extend a welcome hand, but to he of practical assistance to strangers in a strange land.

“Shake hands, old chop! It’s long since we Were mates in the Outback.” “You’ro looking preitv fit.” said he, "Comp over to the shack. “T introduce a friend of mine. Who saved my life. Pin sure.” A cupboard opened—there, how fine. Was Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.