D.—9

2

advisable, firstly, to make certain concessions to different classes of labour most needed by the Dominion —viz., domestic servants, farm labourers, and miners—which were eligible under the applied-passage scheme, also to add such classes as artisans, mechanics, and bricklayers under this category of reducedrate passages ; and, secondly, to accept immigrants under the Imperial overseas-settlement scheme. In view of the fact that the object of this latter scheme is not generally known, I have to state that the Imperial Government appointed the Overseas-settlement Committee to deal with the problem of free emigration of ex-service men and women who had served in the recent war and who wished to settle within the Empire overseas. A large number of the best type of ex-service men have arrived in the Dominion under this free-passage scheme, and. those who required it have been found accommodation and suitable employment. The following are the conditions under which these passages are granted : — (1.) Application is made to the Imperial Overseas-settlement Committee for free passage to New Zealand. (2.) Duplicates of applications are then submitted to the High Commissioner for approval or otherwise. (3.) Upon receipt of the duplicate application the High Commissioner requests each applicant to supply a medical certificate, also two references of recommendation as a suitable settler for the Dominion. (4.) When the approval of the High Commissioner has been given the Imperial Overseassettlement Committee is advised accordingly, and they then issue a warrant-book of vouchers for train and boat tickets, also a document in lieu of passport. At the time of first acceptance of immigrants under this scheme the conditions regarding housing and employment existing in the Dominion were totally different from those of to-day, and it has, therefore, been found necessary not to accept any further applicants under this scheme "unless they are proceeding to assured accommodation and employment, thereby bringing them practically within the Government nominated policy. The total number of arrivals in New Zealand from the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1921, was 14,444, consisting of 6,832 males and 7,61.2 females. Out of the total number of persons arriving—viz., 14,444 —4,821 were assisted by the New Zealand Government, and 5,286 by tho British Government under tho Imperial overseas-settlement scheme. The number assisted by the New Zealand Government is made up of persons nominated in tho Dominion, totalling 3,670, and of persons applying themselves for assisted passages in London, totalling 1,1.51. During the year twenty-seven steamers brought out assisted immigrants as follows : —

Arrived in New Zealand. Vessel. Nominated Passengers. Overseas - settlement Passengers. Total. April Tainui Corinthic Remuera Ionic .. Paparoa. Arawa Ruahine Mahana Rimutaka Ruapehu Athenic Corinthic Mamari Tainui Remuera Ionic .. Dorset Arawa Paparoa Pakeha Ruahine Athenic Otarama Rimutaka Ruapehu Corinthic Waimana t t 221 194 87 180 94 146 133 742 86 51 188 208 305 254 136 180 231 115 93 623 53 31 182 162 90 35 1 26 24 96 85 102 111 143 134 79 81 170 200 122 104 195 201 15 146 74 163 261 64 59 56 115 85 911 1,464 247 218 183 265 196 257 276 876 165 132 358 408 427 358 331 381 246 261 167 786 314 95 241 218 205 120 912 1,464 May .. 55 * • • • 55 June July 5, . . • • August ;; * * September ;; October November December j? • • January 5) * * 3? • * February j? * • March .. ,, Indirect routes .. Total 4,821 4,821 5.286 10,107