POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19897, 15 September 1913, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT..

WIDE SPREADING ARMS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Chronicle.") WELLINGTON, September 13. An indication of the widespread activity of the Immigration Department was given in the House of Representatives shortly after two o'clock on Saturday morning by the Minister for Marine, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.

The opportunity of doins; this, came through Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, who expressed bitter opposition to the importation of labour, and ju order to record his disapproval moved to reduce an item on the High Commissioner's estimates by one pound. In presenting his case Mr. Hindmarsh said that the market was being swamped by this imported labour. Only the other day he had heard of an assisted immigrant who offered to work on the Devon, saying he must do something as he was starving with a wife and children dependent upon him. Here this man had been in the country only a few days, and it was wrong to bring others out like him under false pretences.

Other Labour members followed in this strain, and in replying to these remarfis Mr. Fisher defended the Immigration Department and its policy. The ramifications tof the Department were most extensive, for it kept in. close touch with every man brought out here. He could lay his hands on the man referred to by Mr. Hindmarsh, and could say that the complete story was a little, different from that given by that member. The man had spent his money foolishly since his arrival, but had been found in a disorganised condition by the Department and sent o>-. to the farmer in the south where he was due. The officials were keeping a strict watch in every quarter, and had a record of every man brought m, and could produce him on demand.

After a long debate the amendment moved by Mr. Hindmarsh was soundly defeated.