D.—9

1930. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir, — Department of Immigration, 25th June, 1930. Herewith I liave the honour to submit the annual report on the immigration which has taken place into New Zealand from the United Kingdom during the year 1929-30. I have, &c, H. D. Thomson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Immigration, Wellington.

REPOET Having full regard to the present difficult economic and industrial conditions and the prevalence of unemployment existing in the Dominion, the Government decided that the restrictions that have been placed upon assisted migration during the past two years must continue. The restricted policy is therefore to remain in force until such time as there is improvement, in the present situation. During the latter part of 1929 the Government decided to inaugurate a scheme for the training of New Zealand boys in farm-work on similar lines to that administered by this Department in respect of English public-school boys. This Department, having the requisite machinery, was charged with the duty of administering this new scheme. The necessary forms, &c, were drawn up and printed and organizations circularized, but so far the response from lads leaving school and desirous of taking situations on farms has been very poor. With a view to stimulating the flow of applications, publicity has been given to the scheme, but unless applications are made by lads leaving school, the scheme cannot prosper, as the demand by farmers for such trainees cannot be met. The total number of arrivals in New Zealand from the United Kingdom and Ireland during the year ended 31st March, 1930, was 3,369 (1,763 males and 1,606 females). Out of the total number of persons arriving—namely, 3,369—1,790 were assisted to New Zealand by the Imperial and New Zealand Governments. The number of assisted immigrants is made up of persons nominated from New Zealand and of persons themselves applying for assisted passages in London.