“SOFT JOBS”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19847, 23 May 1927, Page 8

“SOFT JOBS”

TRAPS FOR MIGRANTS NEW ZEALAND THE LUBE. The London police are investigating what is believed to be a bare-faced attempt to secure money on the promise of mythical “soft jobs” in New Zealand. 'A short while ago there appeared in certain provincial newspapers an advertisement stating that two young men or women wore wanted immediately for New Zealand. They were required to be good conversationalists, ’and to possess a slight knowledge of bookkeeping. Those who answered tho advertisement received in reply a stereotyped letter asking particulars as to name, address, town of birth, and previous occupation. A more important question was “Are you prepared to pay £3 toward your passage money?” The applicant was also asked to send £2 just as a guarantee of genuine application, the money to be returned later. No details of the work were given, but the salary was quoted as starting at £24 per month, and rising to £5O per month. The address given was in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.

A reader forwarded particulars of this proposition to the Daily Mail. An official of the New Zealand Government told a Daily Mail reporter that complaints had 'reached him, and that he had placed the matter in the hands of the police. He strongly advised anybody who was asked to send money in advance in connection with any employment in the Dominion to communicate first with the New Zealand Government Office, 415 Strand, W.C. It is understood that the author of the letter has disappeared.