EMPIRE'S NEED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1970, 29 January 1914, Page 5

EMPIRE'S NEED.

RURAL POPULATION.

BOY EMIGRANT SCHEME FAVOURED/- %^% COMMISSION'S REPORT.I§U SHIPPING COMMUNICATIONS By Telecraph-Press A»Bocl4tion-OoliyriirUt (Rec. January 29, 0.15 a.m.) London, January 28. > Tho Dominion Commission's report, referring to the question of preference, states that throughout Australasia the Commissioners were deeply impressed by the desiro of all classes to deal with tho British Empire rather than foreign nations. Commenting on the excess of tho male population in the Dominions the Commissioners maintain that tho greatest oaro is needed before a pronouncement is made as to the extent of surplus of women in Britain available for immigration, 'because- over half the present surplus exceed forty years of age. They aio arranging for further investigations and the results-would be embodied in tho final report. Regarding cable communication tho report urges that week-end messages should be telegraphed direct to tho addressees over .tho inland wires; and tho use of registered addresses allowed. The opinion is expressed that tho development of a elieap service would bo a potent factor in Empire consolidation. Tho present cable rates to Australasia were too high and practically restricted tho uso of cables to the commercial classes, thus cheeking free intercourse between Britain and the Dominions. Drastic reforms were needed. The report states that the Commission, found a desire among all classes to deal with the British Empire rather than with foreign nations. Not only did this desiro take the shape of tariff'preference, but there was a clear and distinct preference based on sentiment and patriotism. Imperial Migration. In discussing Imperial migration, it is pointed otti that labour-saving machinery is much more used in agriculture in Australia and New Zealand than in Europe. Comparisons shew that tho proportion of the population engaged in ■agricultural ami pastoral pursuits is smaller than in the United States and many European countries. Tho town population is excessive. Siirce the Mother Country is already dependent upon tho overseas Dominions for a considerable proportion of its food and raw material, the Commission is impressed with tho desirability of as large a portion as possible ef the Dominions heisig occupied by a population, which will assist tho development of tho primary resources. Tho best age for immigrants is from If! to 24. A town-bred youth often finds his feet quicker in the now environment than the rustic. Australia's and New Zealand's requirements would be largely fulfilled !iy well-disposed youths whom their environment in the United Kingdom had forced into' blind-alley employments, and youths from industrial schools. The Commission found no evi-dence--that only those ■ who followed Country can become successful agriculturists in the new countries. There was-a strong undercurrent! of opposition in ■''Australia ■ and New Zealand to emigration, principally among the urban wage-earners and artisans, who regard immigration as likely to increase competition in the. skilled labour market. Tho Commission believes that the hostility arises mainly from present defects in the immigration : system.

Tho possibility of making oversea* labour exchanges, deserves close attention, particularly in connection with juvenile emigration. The Commission recommends greater co-operation between the Home and Australasian Governments regarding the migration of discharged- Itidtu.il soldiers, many of whom are willing to go to Australia or Now Zealand, but find difficulty though already accustomed to a clinmto more trying than, northern Australia. The saving by direct migration Would allow considerable, financial assistance to such emigrants. The Commission was favourably impressed with the German settlements in Queensland and South Australia, and tho Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian farmers in Victoria. Such migration would be. a wholesome addition tfi the population of Now Zealand and South Australia.

Discussing female emigration, the report states "that the surplus of _ .Britain's population is mainly residential in the towns and consists principally of elderly Indies.. Servants can ill be spared, as tho ranks of female domestics have been depicted by the demands of commerce and industry in the United Kingdom.

Dealing with the difficulty of family migration, the Commissioners state that parents arc often too old to settle comfortably. A man is tempted ta establish himself prematurely as a farm owner or tenant. Ready-made,farms are non-existent to any largo extent. Farming on the share system is extending in Australia, and is highh* commendable. Tho organisation of family migration will entail considerable public expense before an ideal system can be reached. The Commissioners state that it is undesirable that the caro and duty of describing the attractions of tho Bofiiinions should be left to interested passage agents. Canals and Hafbours. Regarding tho Suez Canal, the Commission is impressed with the canal's capacity to deal, without undue, delay, with 15,000 ships per annumagainst the present live, thousand, provided certain traffic regulations were observed. It is also impressed with tho increasing ability of the canal to take vessels of deep draught. Shortly it would be thirty feet, but it was doubtful whether this would bo sufficient to provide for the. necessities of a quick ocean service to Australia, The fact that the Panama Canal gives a depth of forty feet will aceeierate tho already rapid increase in tho size nnd draught of ocoan carriers. It is doubtful whether the authorities of Australia and New Zealand harbours were properly alive to the Quick increase of draught which was in prospect. Thfl proper standard is forty feet. Except at Sydney, Hobart. Wellington, _ and Auckland the facilities are considerably below tiro standard. Tho Commissioners state that they cannot ttrgo too strongly that tho governing bodies of tho ports should thup devote earnest, consideration to the problem of deepening the harbours, Mall Services. Any semi-automatic renewal of mail contracts with a sliglit improvement in speed and conditions, nnd a slight decrease in cost Would be inadequate as a solution of th« problem which needs to be handled on broader lines. Giving full consideration to all variants, particular''. ly tho speed restrictions of the Suez service, there are grave reasons to doubt the reality of the competition under the present, arrangements. The continuance of a quo si-monopoly for a long period would probably he, prejudicial to the development of shipping, ns it removes a great incentive to the construction of .faster ships. No mail contract caa bo,

.sat if,f(icfo'ry?:whi(:lf i d(ieK "uol; '« soa Kneed,, considerably' .ih.:;joxees«|ol/ ■that, of subsidised lines. ■;j\!hf i V:!% : <'-# ; H? ! J» The Commission calls nUptil.ioiiyl'o ; tlie : .complaints ■ regarding--thc : .outward;.bills; "of -ladingVas mil'iof "dutcy unduly .copi■'plicatcd,v'.ahdf'iiiSrayoiir': of^ilio'.'' slii>>-; ■ owners;'-as '; againsfe; their '■'. cufitonioj-B.'. that' many ; ':of".tho?companies?grantsnl rodroHS which': theyJ'w<»rft;.not;..legally ? compelled ; - Tho ovidoncV.'bf tiie" : strengtli?of ' 6 tho shipping ring- in London was so great that combined action by. the, importers would .bo of littlo aviiil.7.". Tim report draws attention to the ■ possibility of amending the. United Kingdom law,in order to bring it into line ;wit.h-the Ans-, trali.lii.Sea'Carriage Act of,l9o4. \q)ff^