TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12978, 18 May 1906, Page 3

TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS.

Referring to the. arrival of the immigrants by the Tongariro, the Wellington " Post" says : "In the old days immigration barracks -were provided for the accommodation - of assisted immigrants, and the Departmental organisation was designed to place each of the newcomers in •the -way of securing the opportunity best suited to his capacity; but now each man it seems, must take his chance, and the devil take the hindmost.'.. On Tuesday some 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 Labour Bureau, and thither they went, only to discover that the officials knew nothing of their engagement or agreement. The explanation is that mail advices must have, been delayed, but instead of these people being required to discover the Labour Department, why cannot one of its officers be detailedto meet each ship as it arrives? As for intending*farmers, who are coming forward in increasing numbers as immigrants, they, too, might be met on board ship on arrival by a responsible officer of the Lands Department, -who would 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. It we ana adequately to provide for a continuous inflow of desirable immigrants the Government must bestir itself to offer a better welcome than hitherto <m their arrival in the colony. •