1).—9.

1908. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OE IMMIGRATION (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

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

q Immigration Department, Wellington, Bth June, 1908. Herewith I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the immigration which has taken place into New Zealand from the "United Kingdom during the year 1907-8. Wμ. C. Kensington, Undor-Secretary. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Immigration. REPORT. The report and statistics appended do not bear out the complaints which from time to time have been voiced during the past year that the New Zealand Government are flooding the Dominion with immigrants ; on the contrary, the return shows that only 2,651J adults, equalling 3,104 souls, have reached our shores by way of reduced-rate passages during the past year, as against 3,141J statute adults, equalling 3,712 souls, for the same period last year, the smaller number arising chiefly from the strict supervision exercised by the High Commissioner over all the applicants for assisted passages made to him in London. The 3,104 souls who arrived were landed at intervals by thirty-eight steamers, the average number of steamers being three a month. The new settlers brought with them in cash declared capital to the amount of £70,056, and many in addition possessed a small annual income, amounting in the total to £1,052. The New Zealand Government contributed passage-money to the amount of £10,423. Classification op Immigrants. The total arrivals of 2,651£ adults, equalling 3,104 souls, are classified as follows :—Farmers : Single men and heads of families, 807—1,899 souls ; domestics of all classes, 395 adults ; artisans, &c, single men and heads of families, 307 —810 souls. Nominations by Relatives made in New Zealand. In last year's report brief mention was made of the fact that the New Zealand Government considered it helpful to the Dominion that persons who had successfully established themselves as settlers should be allowed to nominate relatives upon payment in New Zealand of the sum of £10 for each relative so nominated, the relatives stipulating to receive all such upon arrival, and provide them with employment. It is further stipulated that the persons so nominated must be fully approved by the High Commissioner before embarkation. The number of adults so nominated last year amounted to 383| statute adults ; this year the number brought out by relatives amounted to 480 statute adults, the amount received in New Zealand for passage-money being £11,059 11s. Very satisfactory reports reach the Department from time to time ss to the success of this system of nominations. It results j n ( a ) reuniting families ; (6) making the settlers themselves more satisfied when their relatives are near them ; and (c) increases the interest in New Zealand, and creates a closer bond with the older land from which they come. General Character op the Immigrants. The Immigration officers who have met the various steamers upon arrival report that the high class and character of the immigrants mentioned last year have been well maintained this year, and state that New Zealand is to be congratulated upon such valuable additions to her ever-increasing population. The same tribute is paid by the officers of the Labour Department, who render every possible help to immigrants upon arrival, and, when they are not met by relatives or friends, invariably assist them to obtain employment. General. The Department is quietly carrying out the Government's decision of bringing to New Zealand in the main the farming class, supplemented by domestic workers. It is corresponding with persons in all parts of the world, and affording information as to the capabilities of New Zealand, its land laws, its available lands, and upon hosts of other subjects too numerous to mention. The Immigration officers during the past year have been Messrs. J. E. March and A. A. S. Danby, and they have done all that lay in their power to assist immigrants upon arrival. The first-named, Mr. J. E. March, has reached the age of retirement, and from the Ist May retired upon a well-earned superannuation allow-