SOLDIER IMMIGRANT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20001, 17 July 1920, Page 8

SOLDIER IMMIGRANT.

STRANDED IN CHRISTCHURCH. Mr J. H. Hodge, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday with his wife and six children, has a substantial grievance against sonic- persons or Department. He was a soldier in tho Empire’s armies. After his discharge in England inducements offered by tbo Oversea Settlement Office, London, to discharged soldiers of the Old Country to como to New Zealand were brought under his notice. Ho read in tho “ Handbook of tho Dominion of New Zealand,” published by tbo office, that wages were good here, and that the average monthly routs ranged from 7s 9d for three rooms to 15s 6d for five rooms and 23s 4d for seven rooms. A four-roomed cottage would suit him, and as the rent, according to tho handbook, would he only 11s od a month, or 2s I Old a week, ho decided to como to Christchurch. He arrived yesterday absolutely friendless. There was nobody to meet him, and he found, to his consternation, that so far from rents being alluringly cheap, ho could not obtain a house at any price. Ho was fortunate enough to get into touch with an obliging resident of St Albans, who gave him a- room last night, while his wife and children found shelter at New Brighton. Tho same gentleman lias obtained for him Temporary work, which may prove to bo permanent. His trouble is to find * house for his family and himself. He is annoyed at tho misleading statements published in London, and he feels that tho Oversea Settlement Office or some other Department should have arranged for the New Zealand Government or a representative of the office in Christchurch to meet him and to smooth tho difficulties of a stranger in a strange land. There were other immigrants under tbo scheme on tho same vessel, and he believes that some of them are having tho same experiences.