RECORD IMMIGRATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 51

RECORD IMMIGRATION

FIGURES FOR THE PAST YEAR. SHIPPING DIFFICULTY. I ] (Fbom ,Our Own Correspondent.) ! WELLINGTON, September 30. 1 The annual report of the Immigration i Department, presented to Parliament to-day, ; states that for the vear under review the figures show a record since the inception of ass.sted immigration. A census to determine the shortage of labour was taken in the early part of last year, when the total labour shortage was estimated at 12,937. Employers stated that they had exhausted all ' reasonable means of obtaining labour. As a consequence the present policy of “open nomination” was commenced, giving private individuals, other than relatives by blood or marriage, and employers the right to nominate immigrants. It was taken advantage of with good results. It was considered advisable, continued the report, to offer concessions to the different classes of labour most needed in the dominion — domestic servants, farm labourers, and miners—and to add to this list artisans, mechanics, %nd bricklayers. At the time of the first acceptance of immigrants under this scheme the conditions regarding housing and employment were totally different from those at present ruling. It has therefore been found necessary not to accept any further applicants under this scheme unless they are proceeding to assured accommodation and employment, thereby bringing them practically within the Government nominated policy. The total number of arrivals in New Zealand from the United Kingdom during the year ended March 31, 1921, was 14,444, consisting of 6532 males and 7612 females. Out of the total number 4821 were assisted by the New Zealand Government, and 5286 by the British Government under the Imperial overseas settlement scheme ; a total of 10,107 assisted immigrants. The number assisted by the New Zealand Government is made up of persons nominated in the dominion, totalling 3670, and of persons applying themselves for assisted passages in L-ondon, 1151. The grand total of 10.107 assisted immigrants were distributed as follows:—• Auckland 3173 Canterbury 1276 Hawke’s Bay 533 Marlborough 202 Nelson 277 Otago 855 Southland 348 Taranaki 573 Wellington 2390 Westland 276 Indefinite 204 How far last year's total constitutes a record is shown by the number of assisted immigrants introduced into New Zealand during the past 10 years —namely: 1912, 3300; 1913, 3928; 1914, 5064; 1915, 2986; 1916, 1103; 1917, 638; 1918, 171; 1919, 906; 1920, 3811; 1921, 10,107. With regard to housing and employment, the report says:—“I am able to report that in not one single case of assisted or overseas settlement immigrants can it be said that the department was unable to supply accommodation immediately upon arrival, and to offer employment within 48 hours of entrance into the dominion. There has been considerable improvement in the shipping situation during the year, although conditions are still far from' normal. The shipping available for the large number of immigrants wishing to proceed to New Zealand was not sufficient to meet the demand; in fact, the congestion became so acute that the High Commissioner found it necessary to make special arrangements for putting on additional ships, and his action had the effect of affording some relief. “The question of passage rates and the limitation of ports of booking imposed by the shipping companies for Government and assisted passengers is one of the most important concerning immigration to-day. Even taking into consideration the extra expense of running ships as compared with pre-war times, it is evident that: the companies concerned seem , to have overlooked the enormous amount of passage money received annually from this source of revenue, and also that their 1 Homeward freights are obtained from the | domiriwn. Negotiations are proceeding to ' procure more favourable and satisfactory terms for the Government,” The report 5 states further that a portion of the approved campaign of publicity has been carried out. A booklet is to be issued containing all the general information likely to be required by the intending immigrant regarding New • Zealand, while a subsidiary series of smaller size wili deal with various phases of occupations in which intending immigrants may find scone in New Zealand.