BRITISH WOMEN FOR OVERSEAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20448, 30 June 1928, Page 8

BRITISH WOMEN FOR OVERSEAS.

REPORT.OF THE 5.0.5.8. W. DECREASE IN MIGRATION. (From Oua Own Correspondent.) LONDON. May 19. Australia and New Zealand have both received fewer women settlers, according to the annual report of the society for the Oversea Settlement of British Wo/ien, during 1927 than they did in 1926. There has been a slight drop in the number of women migrating directly through the society—l37l in 1927 as against 1490 in 1926. Emphasis is again laid on the fact that free or assisted passages are only given to women and girls willing to take domestic employment or who intend to join relatives in the dominions. Demands for domestic workers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand continue to exceed the supply. ' Forty-two young women of secondary school, education have migrated as homehelps under the 5.0.5.8. W. special notnination scheme. More applicants for these special nominations,' which carry with them unusual advantages, are required by the society. A considerable proportion of women who have gone out in this way, after completing the year’s work in domestic employment, have found other openings. Two of the first women to go out under this scheme have paid a visit home to the society this year, and neither, for one moment, regrets having gone out. Opinion has constantly been expressed in responsible quarters (says the report) that the establishment of ;a hostel or residence in one of the dominions, in which young women could live temporarily and learn something of the local conditions before deckling whether they wished to take up life permanently in the country concerned, would be welcomed by many would-be migrants who hesitate to take a final decision before seeing a land as yet unknown to them. Suggestions have come to us from numberless sources varying in type and detail, but all tending towards the same idea, that of the provision of a " jump ing-off ground ” for newcomers. As the 5.0.5.8. W. is most anxious to encourage the migration of women of means and good education equally with that of those who do not possess similar advantages, it has felt that investigation into the possibility of starting a centre, such as is proposed. should be undertaken. With this end in view a special sub-committee has been set up to inquire into the whole question, and report its conclusions to council. The committee has been in existence for the past 12 months, and as we go to press we understand that its report may be expected early in the new year. We are unable at the moment to say more on this matter, except to point out to those who encourage us to go forward in such a venture that funds must first be assured. Special reference is made to New Zealand, In common with the record of general migration to New Zealand (the report says), onr 5.0.5.8. W. figures for the past year show a considerable shrinkage. The Dominion has been passing through a time of unusual unemployment, compelling the authorities to destriet assisted migration. We hope that with the resumption of more normal conditions of trade and prosperity New Zealand will be able to absorb a larger number of people from our shores. The total of 100 sent through the 5.0.5.8. W., included la teachers and 13 home helps. Five of the last-named were nominated by the Victoria League in Christchurch, and it was a great disappointment to ns when the period ot unemployment obliged our kind tors to suspend operations. We trust, however, that after a temporary stoppage the nominations may be renewed. Included in the number of teachers referred to above arc seven whom we have had the pleasure of assisting. Miss Holand. the headmistress of Woodford House School, Havelock North, to select during her recent visit to London. Miss Holland’s visits to the office and the utilisation she was able to make of our organisation afforded us great gratification*