H—ll

skilled tradesmen. An indication of the effort necessary to obtain the comparatively small number of migrants finally selected to come to New Zealand during the year is given in the following table which summarizes the year's work of the branch—

(4) Of those remaining under action at the end of the year, 555 men and women had been interviewed and selected and were awaiting embarkation or medical examination. In addition, 1,997 persons who appeared on paper to be suitable were awaiting interview at the end of the year. (5) Male applicants continued to outnumber female applicants, but over more recent months the tendency has been for the numbers of women offering to show a slight increase, and during the year 801 women arrived in New Zealand under the immigration scheme to undertake work in essential occupations. (6) Applications from unskilled males have continued to come forward freely, but fully-qualified unmarried tradesmen have been difficult to recruit and it appears that this will continue until the scheme can be extended to married workers. (7) The Immigration Advisory Council has continued to afford valuable advice and guidance to the Department and has met on five occasions to discuss the more important matters of policy. Individual members have devoted a considerable amount of time to the work as members of sub-committees and in contacts with various organizations interested in immigration. (8) The initial placement of new settlers in employment in New Zealand is arranged with the co-operation of Employment Advisory Committees, whose assistance has been most valuable. These Committees are comprised of workers' and employers' representatives within each major industry so that they are well equipped to advise upon matters connected with the absorption of new settlers within particular industries. (9) The Immigration Welfare Committees which have been established throughout the country have continued to carry out very good work in connection with the social welfare of all immigrants. Local associations of new settlers have been further developed during the year and have been very successful in organizing social and recreational activities for their members. (10) During the year the scheme of child migration has continued to function successfully and 169 selected British children, between the ages of five and seventeen, have been transported to New Zealand at Government expense and placed under the guardianship of the Superintendent of Child Welfare with New Zealand families. It has been found that a greater proportion of the children offering under this scheme have been in the older age-group. Although these children are more difficult to place than younger children, suitable homes have been found by the Child Welfare Division, and reports indicate that the children generally are settling in well with their foster-parents. The Overseas League has continued to interest itself in this scheme and assists in the selection of children in the United Kingdom. (11) In June, 1949, 941 displaced persons who had been selected by a New Zealand Mission in Europe arrived in this country for resettlement. These persons were all •eligible for assistance from the International Refugee Organization which arranged for their transport by sea from Europe to New Zealand. Upon arrival the group were placed

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— Males. Females. Total. Total applications under action as at 1st April, 1949, and 7,081 1,959 9,040 received during year Applications lapsed, voluntary withdrawals, persons outside 3,684 439 4,123 present scope of scheme, unsuitable, &c. Total sailed during year 1,564 801 2,365 Total remaining under action, 31st March, 1950 1,833 719 2,552