§ 67. Mr. Nigel Fisherasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the reduction by one third in the number of assisted passages for United Kingdom emigrants to New Zealand, the Government will provide a grant towards the 43W cost of New Zealand's assisted passage scheme, such as this country already provides to the Australian Government.
§ Mr. AlportThe free passage scheme to New Zealand is financed and operated by Her Majesty's Government in New Zealand. The reduction recently announced, which I understand will not come into effect until outstanding applications from the United Kingdom have been dealt with, was made, according to a statement by the New Zealand Minister of Immigration, in view of the prevailing economic conditions in New Zealand and her overseas exchange position. The majority of the emigrants from this country to New Zealand pay their own fares and will not be affected. My noble Friend is at all times willing to consider proposals for a joint scheme under the Commonwealth and Empire Settlement Acts if the New Zealand Government wishes the United Kingdom Government to participate.