NEW LIFE BEGINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 6

NEW LIFE BEGINS

Large Draft Of Immigrants From Britain MANY OCCUPATIONS PA WELLINGTON, May 15 Packed with nearly 900 immigrants from all parts of the British Isles, the liner Atlantis berthed at Wellington this morning after a 45-day uneventful voyage from Southampton. The New Zealand Government liaison officer on board, Mr H. J. Steptoe, said the immigrants impressed him as being keen to start their new life and eager to learn as much as they could about the country. The most popular entertainment on board seemed to be the Sunday night quiz session, when Mr Steptoe answered questions submitted during the week. These ranged from, “Will we be allowed to hunt wild pig? ’’ to “How long will it be before we have to pay taxes? ” The 820 assisted immigrants, who are to be scattered all over the Dominion, in all kinds of occupations, were welcomed on board by the Secretary of Labour, Mr H. L. Bockett. Six naval ratings also arrived —five of them on transfer from the Royal Navy. The sixth was a Christchurch man, Petty-officer V. W. Fifield, who has just completed a three years’ gunnery course in England. The other services were represented by one soldier and 43 airmen. All of the latter are tradesmen from the RAF. Among a group of 40 herd testers was H. McCrone, of Ballyclaire, who has been a livestock breeder and an organiser for young farmers’ clubs in Northern Ireland. He will go with several others to Palmerston North for a familiarisation course in New Zealand farming conditions. The others have farming experience, ranging from the Isle of Skye to the Channel Islands. Miss C. Bromly, of Whitstable, is one of the three women herd testers. She had four years’ laboratory and farm training, and is a member of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, as are her companions, Miss J. E. Auty, of Redcar, and Miss D. W. Nott. Foresters, printers, farmers, nurses, domestics, factory and clerical workers, telephone exchange operators, and engineers are a few of the other vocations represented in the draft.