The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1916. THE COMING RUSH OF IMMIGRANTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2909, 23 October 1916, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1916. THE COMING RUSH OF IMMIGRANTS

Reference is made in a cable message this morning to the rush overseas of soldier-emigrants at the close of tho war. Mb. Massev is reported to have stated, in speaking .on this subject, that Now Zealand will not be able to provide land for such immigrants for at least a year after tho war owing to tho necessity for providing land for our own soldiers. By last week's mail there came to hand the report presented to tho Royal Colonial Institute by Sir IhWxU Haggard regarding the settlement of soldiers in tho Oversea Dominions. This document contains much valuable' information, and should prove a useful guide to the possibilities ahead of those in the Motherland who are thinking of moving overseas at the close of the war. It will be recalled that at the request of the Council of the Institute Sir Eider Haggard early in the present year set out on a tour of the Empire in order to ascertain what facilities the various Dominions are prepared to give to enablo tho men who are now fighting for us to find profitable employment on tho land. _ He met with a-most cordial reception wherever he went, and hearty sympathy'with the objects of his mission was shown by people and politicians. _ The good-will of the Dominions is, of course, essential to the success of any scheme for regulating the emigration of ex-soldiers from_ Britain to other parts of the Empire, but in addition"-to assurances of good-will, Sir Rider Haggard received definite promises of support of a most substantial character. He has good reason for satisfaction as regards the results of his tour. Ho is not overstating the position when He remarks that, as a consequence of his explanations and, conferences, emigration to the Over-' seas Dominions has entered upon a new phase, and it now remains to the Empire, acting through its statesmen, to tako the fullest possible advantage of the opportunity of directing into the most profitable channels the stream of emigrants which is sure to flow from the United Kingdom when the war is over. Sir Rider Haggard is fully justified in claiming "considerable success" for his mission, in view of the fact that he is able to report that, as far as the self-governing parts of the Empire are concerned, there is now "anopen door for the British exservice man, who fdr the most part, will be admitted on terms practic-.' ally of equal advantage to those which they determine to accord to their own citizens." Sir Eider Haggard wisely refrains from attempting tcr- devise any scheme of land settlement. No one plan can. he says, serve for all parts of the Empire; it is probable, indeed, that the same plan could not be utilised without variation in any two places throughout all that measureless area. Each country must design and use its own.

Sir Ridee Haggard's visit to South Africa was not of a very encouraging nature, but he was not disappointed as he did not expect great things. The Government was sympathetic, but could not enter into any definite undertakings. This noncommittal attitude is not surprising, for in view of tho unsettled political and social conditions, and the general uncertainty of the outlook great changes in immigration policy could not reasonably be hoped for. Inquiries made in New Zealand produced more satisfactory replies, but nothing very definite or tangible was achieved, though Mr. Masse? made it quite clear that he realised the great importance of keeping British emigrants within the British Empire. But this Dominion is a small country when compared with Canada and Australia. Tho amount of good land available is not great, and it is our first duty to make provision for our own soldiers. As far as circumstances will permit Me. Massey has promised to give favourable consideration to the requirements, of any soldiers of the British Army who desire to settle in New Zealand, and when normal conditions have been restored proferoncc will be given to British soldiers and sailors over other persons in any scheme of assisted immigration that may be adopted. This undertaking, of course, docs not affect or alter inany way the policy laid down to give preference over all others to our own returning soldiers. Sir Hider Haggard received moro definite undertakings from the Fed-

oral and State authorities in Australia, and he is able to announce that there is "an open door for the ex-British service man throughout the, Commonwealth." Australia has Vast areas of land awaiting settlement and cultivation. So has Canada. Sir Rider Hagsiard felt that the success of his 'tour largely depended upon the result of his conferences with the Provincial and Dominion Governments of Canada. The Premier of British Columbia announced his willingness to extend to all United Kingdom ex-service men and their families advantages as regards land settlement similar to thoso .which would be given to Canadian soldiers. Other Provinces cxpressedwilliugness to adopt a similar policy. The Canadian Dominion authorities at first adopted a very cautious attitude, and seemed to bo disinclined to commit themselves to any definite promise. Sir Rider Haggard was therefore all the more pleased when he received a letter from the Canadian Prime Minister (Sir Rorert Borden) stating that he has undor consideration plans for the settlement of Canadian, British, and other soldiers and sailors who have participated in the war. Sir Robert Borden gavo the assurance that the contemplated measures,wil,l bo satisfactory to all those who have at heart the great purpose to which Sir Rider Haggard has devoted so much time and thought. It is well to know that Britain recognises that she has a most imperative duty to perform in connection with the resettlement of her vast army of citizen soldiers. The British Government cannot throw upon* the Oversea Dominions the whole responsibility of finding land for those returned soldiers who may wish to engage in agricultural or pastoral work. Britain will have to make considerable alterations N in her ovn laud laws in order that a far greater number of British folk may, have the opportunity of cultivating the lands, of their own country. This policy, indeed, is being actively urged as a counter-move to oversea emigration schemes which deplete the Mother Country of so many of the best, classes of workers. Sir Rider H..ugard fully endorses this view, and merely suggests ' "that those who arc bent upon .migration should bo helped, not hindered, and that this inevitable migration should be directed towards lands over which the British (lag is flyiug, and, if possible, turned from the gates of foreign Powers." There is ample room iri the British Empire for every' British man, woman, and child. All s.r o wanted. A white population of about 58,000,000 is not sufficient to ensure the profitable occupation of an Empire that covers a quarter of tho earth.