THE IMMIGRANT NAVVIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10691, 15 May 1906, Page 4

THE IMMIGRANT NAVVIES.

Referring to the arrival of the immi- ; grants by the Tongariro, tlie Post says : ; "In tho old days immigration barracks j were provided for the accommodation of assisted immigrants, and the Departmentjal organisation was designed to place each of the newcomers in the way of securing tho opportunity best suited to his capacity ; but now each man, it seems, must take his chance, and the devil take the hindmost. On Tuesday som e 40 navvies arrived from London. After breaking up their homes, and after the great venture of their lives, they reach the new land to discover that they have arrived at a country so strange that no one has been advised of their coming. Fortunately, before leaving England, they were told to go on arrival here to the Labor Bureau, and thither they went, only to discover that the officials knew nothing of their engagement or agreement. Tlie explanation is tlmt mail advices must have been delayed, but instead of these people being required to discover the Labor Department, why can. not one of its officers be detailed to meet each ship as it arrives? As for intending farmers, wlio are coming forward m increasing numbers a« jmmi- : grants, they, too, might be met on board ship on arrival by a responsible officer of the Lands Department, who could give . them practical advice after obtaining direct information of their needs and means, as to the best way of obtaining suitable employment, or going upon the land. If we are adequately to provide for a continuous inflow of 'desirable immigrants the Government must bestir itself to offer a bettter welcome tlum hitherto on their arrival in the colony." Regarding, the reports about the navvy immigrants. Mr Seddon stated that he had no doubt the men would readily find employment. Those who were able to undertake pick and shovel work had already done so, and the others would noc remain idle for more than a few days. The position had been made perfectly clear to the men before they left London. The High Commissioner had not promised them work. but->*had informed them of the demand for labor in the colony, and had explained as clearly as he could the conditions under which it would have to be performed. There could be no advantage to the Government iu getting men out by any misleading misrepresentation. Just the re. verse, and Mr Reeves was not the sort of man to mislead intending emigrants. Perhays something had been made of the incident in Wellington for political purposes, but tliere was no danger of the men being stranded, and by the end of thte week they probably would liave forgotten all their troubles. It was a pity that the Labor Department had no notice of their arrival, but tlie Department would not lessen its efforts on their behalf on that account, and these pioneers would probably smooth the way for the men and families by whom - they would be followed. During the course of a chat with a. Post representative one of the navvies explained the circumstances of his "coming out." He said he was a Londoner, and had worked aoout the docks as a general laborer, and also as a navvy. He had seen a notice in one of the halls that navvies were wanted in New Zealand, and he had applied at tho Commissioner's office for particulars. There he was supplied with a number of papers. He was rolcl that his application for i\ job would be sent out to the colony, and that he would get work as soon as .he landed, but the Labor Bureau people in Wellington didn't know him when he called today. "Why," he said to the pressman, "I gave in particulars about myself and 'my character in London for them folks to send out here ! Some of the chaps felt pretty sore about it at the Labor Bureau this morning, and if they don't get work they declare the Government will have to send them right back to London. There arc chaps from Lancashire and Yorkshire and other places —miners and laborers and farm hands. Sonic of them who started out v as navvies have changed their minds during the voyage. They happen to have a little money, and thej* have decided to take up land. Wo all got our passages out for £10 each. Only two of the navvies have brought out their wives. Tlie other married chaps are going to find out first what kind of country this is, "and what sort of jobs they're getting before they send Home for the missus and the kids."