IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 74

IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROPOSALS. Xhe Executive of the Dunedin Chamber ot Commerce lias considered the question ot immigration at oonsicteraole iengtn. in its deliberations it lias natl tne co-operation and advice ot the Otago rixpansion Eeague, winch has tafien a very active interest in this subject lor many years past. The executive submitted the following report to_ the meeting of the Council of the Chamber last mgut: the resolution proposed by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce is considered to be too general in its scope, and while the Dunedin Chamber are quite in accord with the principles expressed tnerein, tiiey deneve that something more definite should be submitted for consideration by the Government. With this object the executive submit the following recommendations: 1. Immigration to New Zealand should bo coilnned to persons of fiSritish birth. 2. Migrants should be either (a) agriculturists or (bj skilled artisans, and where unskilled labourers are “nominated” tne nominators should, under a substantial bond, undertake the liability of providing for the employment and housing of the nominee on arrival and for a satislactory period thereafter. 5. Xhe present nomination system should be so extended as to provide tor the nomnation of groups for country settlements or of suitable lads for employment in the country. 4. Indiyiduals or organisations nominating lads should be required to give satisfactory guarantees that these lads on arrrival will be placed on eligible farms and given practical instruction 111 New Zealand larming methods. Some system of inspection and supervision of all lads so placed should be provided. 5. Provision should be made for selecting and setting aside areas of Crown lands suitable for close settlement under the group system, and facilities provided for the employment of British capital for the purpose of breaking in and settling such areas, also for eventually giving freehold tenure to settlers in such areas. 6. The executive consider that in Central Otago there are irrigible areas of Crown lands which are particularly adapted for close settlement under the group system on the linos at present followed in Western Australia. 7. Provided facilities are given by the Government, the chambers of commerce, expansion and progress leagues, farmers’ unions, and other bodies should be invited to co-operate in promoting immigration and land settlement in their respective districts on the lines indicated above. Mr J. B. Waters, who had submitted the above remits to a meeting of the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said that the whole of the matters dealing ■with immigration had been handed over to the Canterbury Chamber. The representative of the Canterbury Chamber undertook that his chamber would bring forward a report on the subject to the Chambers of Commerce Conference. if he thanks of the meeting was conveyed to Mr Waters.