ILEPOBT ON AUSTRALASIA.
MORE ABOUT EMIGRATION*. (By Cable.—Prese Association.— Copyright.) (Received January 28th. 10.50 p.m.) LONDON. January 23. The 3>ominions' Commission report states that it found a deeiro amonp. all rlosses to deal with the British Empire rather than with foreign nations, not only in thft' shape of iaritf preference but a clear and distinct preference based on eentiment ar,d patriotism. Discussing migration, the report says that laboμr-savinf!; machinery is much moro. used in agriculture in Australia •and New Zealand than in Europe. Comparisons show that the proportion of population engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits is smaller than in the United States, and many European countries. Tho town population is excessive. Since tho Mother Country is already dependent upon tho oversea Dominions for a considerable proportion of her food and raw material, the Commission is impressed with tho desirability of as large a portion as possible of the Dominions being occupied by a population which will assist in the development of tho primary sources of wealth. Tho beet ago of immigrants is from sixteon to twenty-four. The town-bred youth often finds his feet quicker in his new environment than tho rustic. Australia's and New Zealand's requirements arc being largely fulfilled by welldisposed youths, whom environment in tho United Kingdom has forced into blind-alley employments, and youths from industrial schools. Tho Commission did not find, from the evidence, that only those who followed agriculture in the Old Country could becomo successful agriculturists in tho now. There was a strong undercurrent of. opposition in Australia and New Zealand-to emigration, principally among urban wage-earners and artisans, who regarded immigration as likely to increase competition in the skilled labour marketThe Commission believes that tho hostility arises mainly from tho present defects of the immigration system. FEMALE EMIGRANTS. Discussing femalo emigration, the report states that the surplus in Britain is mainly residential in the towns, and consists principally of elderly ladies. Servants can ill bo spared. The ranks of femalo domestics have been depleted by the demands of commerce and industry in the United Kingdom. Dealing with the difficulty of family migration, the Commissioners state that parents are often too old to settle down comfortably. A man is tempted to establish himself prematurely as a farm owner or tenant of ready-made farms, which are nonexistent to , any large extent. Farming on the share system is extending in Australia, and is a highly commendable organisation. Family migration will entail considerable public expense before an ideal system is reached. The report states that it is not desirable to leave the duty of describing the attractions of the Dominions to interested agents. 7ARIOUS Problems. ("Times"-Sydney "Sun" Special Cable.) (Received January 28th, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 28. The Dominions Commission's report, referring to the question of preference, says:—"Throughout Australasia 'wo wore deeply impressed by the desire of all classes to deal with tho British Empire rather than with foreign nations." Commenting on the excess of the male population in the Dominions, the Commissioners maintain that tho greatest care is needed before a pronouncement is made as to the extent to which the surplus women in Britain are available for immigration, because over half the present surplus are over forty years of age. TJxo Commission is arranging for further investigations, and the results will be embodied in tho final roport. , Regarding cable communication tho Commission urges that week-end messages bo telegraphed, and the use of registered addresses, allowed. It is of opinion that tho development of a cheap cable service is a potent factor in Empire consolidation. Tho present cable rates to Australasia are too high, and practically restrict the use of cables to the commercial classes and check free intercourse between Britain aud. the Dominions. Drastic reforms are needed. (Received January 2Dth, 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEX', January ,28. The possibility of making Greater British labour exchanges deserves close attention, says the report, particularly in connexion with juvenile migration. The Commission recommends greater cooperation between the Home and Australasian Governments regarding the migration of discharged Indian soldiers, many of whom are willing to go to Australia and New Zealand, but find a difficulty in doing so, though they are already accustomed to a climate more trying than that of Northern Australia. The saving by direct migration would allow considerable financial assistance to be extended to such emigrants. The Commission is favourably impressed with the German settlements in Queensland and South Australia, and the Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian farmers in Victoria. Such migration, it says, would be a wholesome addition tc that to New Zealand and Southern Australia. •-- THE SUEZ CANAL. Regarding tho Suez Canal, the Commission is impressed with the Canal's capacity to deal, without undue delay, with 15,000 ships against tho present 5000 a year, provided certain traffic regulations are observed. It is also impressed with its increasing ability tc take vessels of deep draught, shortly, up to 30ft, but is doubtful whether this is sufficient to provide for tho necessities of a quick ocean service to Australia. The fact that tho Panama Canal gives a depth of 40ft will accelerate tho already rapid increase in eizo and draught of ocean, carriers. It is doubtful whether the, authorities controlling Australian and New Zealand harbours are properly alive to tho quick increase of draught. Except at Sydney, Hobart, "Wellington, and Auckland, the facilities are considerably below the standard, and the Commissior cannot urge too strongly on the governing bodies of ports that they should de-
vote their earnest consideration to the problem of deepening tho harbours.
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Press, Volume L, Issue 14887, 29 January 1914, Page 7
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916ILEPOBT ON AUSTRALASIA. Press, Volume L, Issue 14887, 29 January 1914, Page 7
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