IMMIGRATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 4

IMMIGRATION

MANY INQUIRIES RECEIVED BRITISH SERVICEMEN ENCOURAGED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 6. Two national service officers will leave for England shortly to handle the hundreds of immigration inquiries received, stated the Minister of National Service, Mr A. McLagan to-day. Mr M. C. Smith, Wellington district employment officer, and Mr C. J. Hay, nave been seconded for this task.

Mr McLagan said about 600 applications from prospective immigrants were being received by the High Commissioner’s office every week and officers with knowledge of present employment and other conditions in New Zealand were required to cope with them. British ex-servicemen were given every encouragement to settle in New Zealand, and the demobilisaton of 266 of these in New Zealand had already been approved. These (both men and women) were in the 25-35 age group, and were mostly single. A large number had served in the Royal Navy and consequently had some trade knowledge. Those in Britain desiring to come to New Zealand were prepared to do so at their own expense, as there was no assisted scheme at present. Mr McLagan added that the Government could not give further consideration to immigration policy until the report of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Population was presented.