THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19374, 9 January 1925, Page 6

THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.

POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON. January 8. “ Ten thousand immigrants a year is the policy which has been laid down, but we would have no difficulty in handling half as many again if wo were satisfied we could find housing for them. As it is, we restrict the numbers to what we are quite sure wo can properly and permanently absorb,” stated Mr Thomson, Under-secretary for Immigration, to-day. Mr Thomson was able to say definitely that not one of the families arriving in New Zealand lacks somewhere to go to as soon as it steps oft' the ship. Houses could not be provided for them. The houses simply did not exist, but they were found flats or rooms and temporarily accommodated until able to make arrangements themselves. “ Much criticism has been levelled against the department,” said Mr Thomson. “It has been accused of dumping immigrants by the thousand down in_ the country without making adequate provision for them or without considering the powers of absorption of the country with regard to the population. This was quite untrue, and if some of or critics would only take the trouble to watch our organisation at work in the handling of a big shipment of immigrants they would be more reasonable in their judgment.” Mr Thomson paid a tribute to the Salvation Army for its work in helping immigrants.