IMMIGRATION SCHEMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 995, 11 June 1930, Page 9

IMMIGRATION SCHEMES

CHURCH OF ENGLAND’S WORK ASSISTING AGRICULTURE The question of boy and girl migration was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Overseas League last evening. Some of the schemes now in operation were examined, and members went into the question of how the league could help the Dominion in this respect. New Zealand is essentially ai> agricultural country, and without agriculture the development in the towns could not exist. It appears at the present time that local boy labour is not forthcoming to any great extent, and it has been found necessary to import labour from overseas. New Zealand looks to the Mother Country to supply the need and the demand, at present, exceeds the supply. It was explained at the meeting last evening that there are several schemes for assisting boys and girls to migrate, a term which is now used generally. These are: The Church of England scheme, the Salvation Army, Flock House, the Public School Boys’ scheme, the Domestic Servants scheme, the Overseas League Migration scheme and the British Isles .Association, an organisation which helps immigrants. In dealing with the Church of England scheme, it was pointed out that it was undenominational and not confined to any particular class of boy, but to boys selected mostly from secondary schools. Application in the first instance had to be made to the Council of Empire Settlement in London, of which the president was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the chairman Lord Jellicoe. They worked with the assistance of the High Commissioner.

The form filled in by the applicant resembled a passport, arjd on it were full particulars, including parentage, schools, references and a certificate of health, as well as other information. If satisfactory, a free passage was granted, but the applicant had to sign an agreement to stay in the Dominion for five years. The boys came in batches of 20, in the winter months mostly. This was a slack time, and the boys were let down lightly so that they would be ready for the heavy work when it came in the spring. PAPERS SENT OUT Farmers who desire to have the boys on their farms make application to the head office in Auckland. Before the boys arrive their papers are sent out, and they are selected from these for their apparent suitability for the various farms. The boys are supposed to remain for two years on a farm, but this is not compulsory. They agree, however, to be under the supervision of the society for two years—after that they can continue to remain so if they wish. In New Zealand every assistance is given the boys and a scheme is in hand to buy land and create a model farm for training. The committee is also endeavouring to get a loan from the Home Government to assist in the purchase of land for these boys, who are prepared, after training, to take up land of their own.

There are faults in the scheme, but these lie with the head office in London. Unsuitable boys have been sent out, and it is considered that £5 is not sufficient for equipment. Bad equipment leads to slovenly habits. The Domestic Servants’ Scheme Is a Government one. The girls are nominated and are given a free passage and a grant of £1 at each end of the journey.

The Flock House scheme has so far brought out 600 boys and 150 girls, and has proved a success. The period of training extends over nine months. Among other things, a life insurance policy for £4OO is taken out on each arrival. The trustees handle the wages of the boys and bank the money until they are 20 years-of age