BRITISH IMMIGRANTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15356, 3 October 1923, Page 5

BRITISH IMMIGRANTS.

COMMISSION VISITB HAMILTON.

A BUSY AFTERNOON.

The Overseas Immigrants Commission, consisting of Sir W. Windham, a member of the Overseas Settlement Committee, Miss G. Pott, who is attached to the committee, Jas. Wignall, M.P., and General A. G. Wauchopc, accompanied by Mr J, Hislop (Undersecretary of Internal Affairs) and H. D. Thomson (Under-Secretary for Immigration), spent a busy afternoon in Waikato yesterday. Arriving by express from Rotorua at mid-day, they visited the butter, casein and box factories of the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Go. at Frankton, and later were motored out to the Government Experimental Farm at Ruakura, where they made a round of inspection. From there they went out to the glaxo factory at Matingi, and then on to the farm of Mr J. Boyd at Matangi, where they evinced great interest in the manufacture of dried milk and in dairying operations and pasture and stock-raising. They were conducted in their tour by the president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr A. M. Bislcy, and Messrs J. E. Tidd, J. Gilbert (members of the Chamber) and A. J. Ileighway (representing the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Company). Mr F. B. Smith, the land expert with the Commission, who remained behind in Sydney, reaches Auckland this morning, where he will be met by Mr J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands'.

In a short talk with a Times representative last night, Sir W. Windham explained that' the object of the visit of the delegation was to confer with the authorities here upon the operation of the agreement between New Zealand and the Imperial Government under the Empire Settlement Act. Immediately on arrival in Wellington they discussed the scheme with Ministers and officers of the Government, and had since had opportunities of going into the arrangements connected with the reception and employment of immigrants. They had gathered that it would not be possible for the present to arrange for the reception of more than 10,000 immigrants' per annum under the system of nomination already in existence. This was, however, an increase of nearly 3000 on last year’s figures. Sir William said that unless and until land could be found for the absorption of additional immigrants, it was clear that it would not be wise to attempt to introduce more people with the object of settling them upon the land. • In explaining the agreement which had recently come into force between the two Governments, Sir William said that New Zealand and Britain would each pay onc-third of the passage r.on p y of nominated immigrants, and would make the remaining one-third by way of advance, to be repaid in a reasonable period after arrival. It also provided for the free passage of children under the age of 16, a small charge being made for those between 16 and 18 years. He wanted it to be clearly understood that the Overseas Immigration Committee, whenever a desire was expressed by the Dominion Government for tradesmen in any branch of industry, would supply the requirements under the terms of the agreement.

Sir William expressed the thanks of the delegation to the New Zealand Government for the very satisfactory arrangements made for the tour and the assistance that had been accorded them throughout. The delegates had, he said, been very much interested in what they had seen, and were greatly impressed with the natural beauties of New Zealand and the possibilities which the country held for future settlement.

The delegation left Hamilton by the early morning express for Auckland. General Wauchopc and Mr Wignall leave Auckland by the Ulimaroa for Australia on the sth, en route for England, while Sir W. Windham and Miss' Pott depart by the Makura on the 9th, proceeding Home via Canada.