H—ll

(3) The development of centres of Maori population by the introduction of new primary and secondary industries, or by the expansion of existing industries, is a possibility at present being examined, and every effort is being made to encourage manufacturers to set up units in these places. (/) Employment Advisory Committees (1) Local Employment Advisory Committees are in existence in the following industries and locations :

(2) During the year these Committees have dealt chiefly with matters relating to the selection and allocation of immigrants. The employment situation has been such as to entail few problems for the Committees to deal with. A number of Committees have, however, reviewed the local-employment position from time to time and have kept the Department advised on the local situation. (3) National Employment Advisory Committees have been set up in the following industries : Baking trades, clothing, freezing-works, printing, and tramways. (4) By agreement with members, National Committees are called together only at the request of members or when the Department has any matter of importance which it desires to discuss with representatives of the industry concerned. On many minor issues, advice is obtained by consultation with members without formally bringing the full Committee together. The Department derives considerable advantage from the assistance and advice of Committees, particularly on immigration matters and on local employment conditions. Section 2—lmmigration (a) Administration (1) During the past year 2,365 men and women arrived in New Zealand under the assisted immigration scheme, while priority passages were arranged for a further 1,498 selected immigrants paying their own fares. The basic eligibility requirements for assisted migrants were not amended during the year, although the occupational categories were extended or amended in certain cases and the possibility of extending the scope of the scheme has recently been receiving consideration. (2) The nomination scheme has continued to attract attention and during the year ended 31st March, 1950, a total of 823 nominations was received. (3) The Immigration Branch of the High Commissioner's Office has found that it is increasingly difficult to obtain adequate numbers of suitable unmarried females and of

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Industry. Location of Committees. Baking Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Building Auckland, Blenheim, Dunedin, Gisborne, Invercargill, Masterton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Timaru, Wanganui, and Whangarei. Clothing Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Engineering Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Footwear Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Freezing Furniture Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Motor Trades Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Printing ' Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Road Transport Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Tramways Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.