BRIGHTER HOPES FOR N.Z. OBTAINING DUTCH FARM LABOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 June 1949, Page 6

BRIGHTER HOPES FOR N.Z. OBTAINING DUTCH FARM LABOUR

WELLINGTON, Last Night (P.A.) —Prospects for New Zealand farmers securing a high type of Dutch labourer are brighter. Following Australia’s acceptance of 500 demobilised troops from Indonesia a cablegram has been received in Wellington asking the Dutch Legation if arrangements can be made for the acceptance of a number of these ex-servicemen in the Dominion. It is understood permission will be granted for their entry. The Agricultural attache at the Netherlands Legation, Mr. H. de Bruin said today the troops were the pick of the young men of Holland, specially selected for their capacity to resist the rigors of the tropics. Shipping, he added, was proving a bottleneck in getting Dutch immigrants to NewZealand, but in this case the Netherlands Government was prepared to provide transport as far as Sydney. It would be desirable if as many Dutchmen as possible could be drawn direct from Indonesia. He said if they were shipped back to Holland many would wish to come straight out again to Australia or New Zealand, there being no room left in Holland for its young agricultural workers. Holdings would permit no further subdivisions. The Dutch Government was prepared to provide shipping to bring immigrants from Holland as well. Another difficulty, but one which appeared to be solving itself, was the demand in New Zealand for Dutch farm workers. Inquiries through Federated Farmers had established conclusively there was ample room for them. Dairy factories, too, were interested in men who were skilled in cheese making. A phase of the Dutch worker, which in the opinion of the Agricultural Attache could be turned to good account in New Zealand, was his experience in reclaiming land. Among the schemes which might recommend themselves was the allocation of a block of swamp or otherwise unprofitable land to a body of Dutch workers. When they had brought it to a proper degree of potential productivity, the block might be split up. say, 25 per cent to the men who had done the work, and 75 per cent, to the returned soldiers or others who would profit by working alongside the Dutchmen skilled in production under these conditions.