D.—9

2

March, 1925, offers the most advantageous conditions that have so far been offered to the people of New Zealand. Tho following table will show the .present cost of passage-money for each migrant for an assisted passage to the Dominion : —

Important.—-In any case where the nominees are unable to pay the cost of six-berth passages tho Imperial aiid New Zealand Governments, acting in concert, will, on the approval of the High Commissioner, advance to such nominees the necessary amount by way of loan, repayable within a reasonable time after their arrival in the Dominion. From this schedule it will be readily seen the encouragement that is given to that most important phase of all immigration policies — i.e., juvenile and child migration. At the present time the percentage of this class of migrant of the total number arriving stands at 32 per cent., but it is hoped on next year's figures that the result will be at least 40 per cent. Although it may be said that these juveniles and children do not immediately materially benefit New Zealand, take tho position in the near future —say, five to ten years henco : the Dominion will have secured a most valuable asset for money expended in augmenting the population. In addition to the foregoing, and in order to increase still further the number of this class of migrant, the New Zealand Government inaugurated a scheme for migration of public- and secondary-school boys, and also agreed to extend the privileges of the assisted passages to the New Zealand Sheepowners' Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund, which has established a scheme for the training of lads in New Zealand with the object of their ultimately becoming farmers on their own account. Regarding the public-school boys scheme, arrangements have been made by the New Zealand Government, together with the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, for a limited number of boys from public schools to proceed to New Zealand to be trained in farm-work with a view to subsequent settlement on the land. The boys are to be placed for training with farmers approved of by the New Zealand Government, and the Under-Secretary of Immigration and the above-mentioned bodies will act as guardians and advisers. The boys must be between the ages of sixteen and twenty years, of British birth, good character and physique, and students of a public or secondary school. They are guaranteed a minimum wage of 10s. per week, with board and lodging, to start with, and the farmers have agreed after three months to increase this amount in accordance with the ability of each boy. The total number of nominations for assisted passages taken during the year shows a decided increase compared with the previous year's figures : — 1922-23 .. .. .. .. .. 2,582. Average per week, 49-6 1923-24 .. .. .. .. .. 3,542. „ 68-1 The year's weekly average of 68-1 represents approximately 7,100 souls por annum, and this should increase to between ten and twelve thousand under the present agreement. The following are a few extracts from letters of appreciation received by the Department :— " You took such kindly interest in our small affairs that I feel you will be interested to know that we are happily settled under congenial conditions —that is, until we settle on a, place of our own. I'have secured employment on this 1,200-acre sheep-farm. The son and I do all the work, and I hope to gain useful experience of local conditions ; and, in fact, the people have all gone for a holiday and left me in charge." " I came out from Home fourteen years ago, assisted by my father, and I paid the emigration, and I must say that wore it not for the Department we would not be where we are to-day. Of course, it depends entirely on oneself ; it's no use any one thinking of coming out here to find gold in the streets like I was told ; one gets three good meals a day and only works eight hours ; I used to work fourteen at Homo on scanty rations. Once again thanking you for putting my case through in such good time." " I came out just over two years ago with a wife and seven children, and am getting on fine. It is a splendid country to bring up a family. I could guarantee work and a home for them when they get here." " In March, 1922, wo bought 25 acres at tho above address ; later on an additional 12, and this year another of 111 (all adjoining). The boys are both now with us, and in addition to the farm we are running a milk-round (two carts). We find the work very enjoyable, but it is a wee bit too much for us."

Third Class. I lomestics. ! Farm Labourers |(Single Men, and Married Couples not accompanied by Children). Single Adults 19 Years of Age and under 50, and Married Couples not accompanied by Children. Married Adults accompanied by at least One Child under 19 Years of Age.* Juveniles— i.e., Boys and Girls 12 but not 17 Ytaisof Age. Boys and Girls 17 but not 19 Years of Age.f Children under 12 Years of Age. (1-) _ (2.) (30 (*■) (5.) (6.) (7.) Six-berth Four-berth Two-berth Free . . Free .. Free, .. Each Person. £ s. d. 11 0 0 13 0 0 17 0 0 Each Person. £ s. (1. 1.6 10 0 18 10 0 22 10 0 Each Person. £ s. d. 1.1 0 0 13 0 0 17 0 0 Each Person. £ s. d. Free Bach Person. £ s. d. 5 10 0 7 10 (I 11 .1.0 0 Each Person. £ s. d. Free. 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 * Also ai to rejoin her h are classed as pplies to a » mshand. ('1 adults (see c ddower, or a wido 'his rate applies o column 3 for rates >w, accompanied a inly to the parent! •)■ ,s above, or to a wi 3 or parent.) >man similarly •f Children ! / accompanied 19 years of a; . proceeding ;e and over