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Questions of immigration were dealt with, as in pre-war years, by the High Commissioner's Office, and in September an Immigration Officer and Assistant Immigration Officer arrived from the National Employment Service to organize an Immigration Department. Their main task during the year was to recruit and select suitable persons for appointment as mental nurses in New Zealand hospitals. Many inquiries were received from individuals desiring to immigrate to New Zealand, and while they were made aware of shipping difficulties and the shortage of housing, they were given pictorial and statistical information and pamphlets on New Zealand. The Finance Section was once again responsible for placing orders on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for bank-notes and coins. Discussions were held with the Ministry of War Transport concerning New Zealand's liability for the cost of transport of service personnel in troopships, and also with other United Kingdom Departments regarding the settlement of outstanding war accounts. The work of the Stores Indents and Shipping Section was facilitated generally by an improved shipping service between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. During the year this Section was required to negotiate a contract for the supply of electric rolling-stock and bulk telephone equipment. The Supply Section was' kept active in seeking New Zealand's essential requirements of steel, paper, building-boards, white lead, textiles, and other commodities. The expansion of industrial activity in New Zealand was reflected in the volume of inquiries reaching the High Commissioner's Office regarding the availability of manufacturing equipment. Requests for trade and commercial information covering an expanding range of products were also dealt with. The Public Relations Section met a constant demand for information on New Zealand, both from organizations and individuals. Extracts from daily news cables were regularly circulated to every daily newspaper in the United Kingdom—ls3 in all —- and special items were sent to these papers and to trade papers and journals. Copies of all news cables were supplied to the Neiv Zealand Neivs, British Australasian, and Reuter. The demand for films and lantern slides was maintained, while the demand for film strips increased as projectors came on to the market. Both the display windows were kept in full use, the larger one by the Marketing Division and the smaller by the Publicity Branch, and in the entrance-hall a new diorama depicting a sheep scene was erected. The first post-war exhibition held in the United Kingdom was the International Housing and Town Planning Exhibition at Hastings early in October, 1946. A display dealing with State housing, designed and set up by the High Commissioner's Office, proved to be very attractive. The only other exhibitions prepared by the High Commissioner's Office were those dealing with education and housing for the UNESCO Conference in Paris. Close contact was maintained by the High Commissioner's Office with New Zealanders resident in or visiting the United Kingdom, and rehabilitation bursars and students in particular were given every assistance. The work of the Service headquarters was considerably reduced during the past year with the departure of most of the New Zealand Service personnel from the United Kingdom. Heavy work for the staff and close liaison with the Admiralty and Commanding Officers were involved in the paying off of H.M.N.Z. ships " Gambia " and " Achilles " for reversion to the Royal Navy and the commissioning for service with the R.N.Z.N. of H.M.S. " Bellona." The New Zealand Contingent for the Victory March, which arrived in May, 1946, was administered by the New Zealand Military Headquarters. Early in the year the High Commissioner, the Right Hon. W. J. Jordan, returned from leave in New Zealand. Dr. R. M. Campbell, who was Official Secretary throughout the war years, returned to New Zealand, and Major-General W. G. Stevens assumed the duties of this Office in September. Brigadier G. B. Parkinson succeeded Brigadier R. S. Park as Military Liaison Officer in December. Mr. S. R. Skinner, the Naval Affairs Officer, and Miss L. McPhee, Information Officer, made refresher visits to New Zealand during the year.

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