D.—9.

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION (ANNUAL REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE).

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

Sib, — Department of Immigration, Wellington, Ist June, 1907. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report upon immigration, conveying the information as to the number of arrivals from the Ist April, 1906, to the 31st March, 1907; the capital they possessed; their classification (such as farmer, navvy, artisan, and domestic); and also showing the extent of the nominations received from persons in New Zealand on behalf of relatives whom they wish to bring out to the colony. I have, &c, William C. Kensington, Under-Secretary. The Hon. James McGowau, Minister of Immigration, Wellington. REPORT. In last year's report a statement was embodied, giving the general scope of the High Commissioner's powers and duties in connection with the despatch of emigrants from the United Kingdom. Since that report no change has been made in the modus operandi, so far as this Department is aware, unless the recent Conference of Prime Ministers in London has resulted in any further developments, as one of the subjects under discussion was that of emigration. The appended return shows that a steady, though moderate, stream of immigration has continued to our shores, and the year closed with the gain of 1,243 souls over that given in last year's report. Owing to the limited area of Crown lands which New Zealand has to offer to its immigrants, it is useless to attempt to compete with such a country as Canada, with its vast areas of fertile lands and its comparative proximity to the United Kingdom. But what New Zealand can, and does, offer is an equable climate and life generally under the most agreeable and favourable conditions. Arrivals of assisted immigrants in the colony during the past year were by means of forty steamships of the various shipping lines running to New Zealand, who landed in good health 3,712 souls, equal to 3,141 J statute adults. These possessed amongst them capital to the extent of £114,689, and an annual income in addition of £1,988. The amount of passage-money contributed by New Zealand through the High Commissioner was £12,570. In the early portion of last year a number of railway - workers, under the heading of " navvies," arrived for work on the North Island Main Trunk Railway line, the total being 279, who, with their families, numbered 507 souls; but representations having been sent to the High Commissioner that no further supply was needed, he has discontinued granting any further passages to this class of settler. Domestic servants to the number of 254 were granted assisted passages, and duly arrived in the colony. Geneeal Chakactee of Immigbants. The Immigration officers (Messrs. March and Danby) have boarded all the steamers as they arrived, meeting the immigrants and affording them counsel and advice, where desired, and also assisting them in procuring employment by taking them to the local office of the Labour Bureau, at which place they have invariably been aided to find work by the officials. The officers report that all the immigrants have been of a very superior class, and, from the numbers whom I have met personally and discussed land questions with, I am convinced that the High Commissioner has exercised a very wise discretion in selecting them, and has added a fine and sturdy class of settlers, both men and women, to our numbers. Nomination of Relatives by Pebsons eesident in New Zealand. As briefly indicated in- last year's report, the Government has extended the benefits of assisted passages to those persons who, whilst residing in New Zealand, have hitherto been unable to bring out their wives and children or other near relatives, rightly judging that persons are much more likely to become permanent and contented settlers when reunited to those from whom they had parted in the older land. Relatives to the number of 383J statute adults have been nominated in New Zealand, and passage-money to the amount of £3,782 10s. has been paid to this office for that purpose. I am convinced that this concession has been of great benefit in reuniting separated families. Geneeal . Whilst the major portion of the correspondence with emigrants is carried on by the High Commissioner in London, yet the letters received from and written to inquirers and despatched