EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 10

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

REDISTRIBUTION OF THE WHITE POPULATION IMPORTANCE OF ACCELERATING THE WORK COMMITTEE’S REPORT TO IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20. The Overseas Settlement Sub-committee commences its report by stating that it accepted the definition laid down at the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 that the objects of Empire settlement were the redistribution of the white population of the Empire in the best intei’ests of the Empire as a whole. It therefore recommended the Governments of the Empire to persevere in continuing and enlarging this policy, disbelieving in the possibility of solving the problem by mass movements.

SECURING SUITABLE MIGRANTS. The sub-committee especially dissociates itself from the idea that the mere transfer of large numbers from Britain to the open spaces in the Dominions .will provide a solution. It is convinced ’that a sound policy must be based on scientific, carefully considered schemes, designed to secure the settlement of suitable persons under conditions conducive both to their own well-being and the prosperous development of the Dominion in which they settle. Nevertheless it is important to accelerate the redistribution of population, and the outward flow could he stimulated to the general advantage of the whole British commonwealth bv the co-operation of the different Governments. OBSTACLES TO MORE RAPID REDISTRIBUTION. The sub-committee examined the obstacles to mote rapid redistribution, and the members find themselves in complete agreement that distribution is most rapid when general prosperity is greatest, when capital is available, and employment abundant. It is recognised that the bulk of British population, especially the vounger generation, is urban, whereas the Dominions primarily need agricultural development. But such development will strengthen the general economic position in the Dominions, the growth of whose secondary industries will conduce to an increased flow of population from Britain. Economics and research have an important bearing upon settlement, while adequate marketing provision must accompany settlement, and the spirit of co-opera-tion among producers should be stimulated. DOMINIONS SPECIALLY INTERESTED. The of the Empire specially Interested in settlement are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Rhodesia, whereas South Africa considers its field limited, and the Irish Free State and Newfoundland intimate that local conditions preclude co-opera-tion in settlement schemes. The sub-committee reviews the action taken in the various Dominions, with an occasional expression of opinion thereon. For example, it urges the development of the nomination system, whether by previous settlers or collective nomination by churches, societies, or groups. But the ideal form of'■migration, it considers, is family settlement. The sub-committee therefore has devoted special attention to the possibility of increasing facilities for this purpose. The sub-committee is agreed upon the desirableness .of largely increasing Juvenile migration, for which there are practically unlimited openings under schemes offering satisfactory guarantees for the migrants’ welfare The number of women migrants shows improvement, but a large further increase is necessary. ASSISTING MIGRANTS TO NEW ZEALAND. The sub-committee recommends the preparation of a definite scheme for assistance to supplement New Zealand legislation for the settlement of families possessing capital, adding that the assistance granted by the British Government in Britain should not exceed an average of £2OO per family. GROUP SETTLEMENT. Regarding group settlement the subcommittee endorses the opinion of the Economic Conference of 1923, that experiments should be made therein, and regrets that little has been done since, but considers more should be done tn view of the progress of the West Australian scheme. z The sub-committee is of opinion, however, that group settlement must depend for success largely upon the leadership of the group. It also stresses the importance of the organisation o settlers for the discussion of difficulties and requirements. y°^ eove s' erally speaking, it is felt that the ex neriment of selecting groups from tne same area in Britain has not proved superior to other methods of selection. The sub-committee recommends the Governments of Britain and. the ominions to co-operate to assist Bnlt-di settlers to acquire their own farms, when thev have mined the neeessnrv experience and are able to pay a deposit on the purchase price. NEED OF TRAINING. Training receives close attention in the report. The sub-committee states that the Dominion representatives generally are of opinion that what is needed is a short intensive course, which will eliminate unsuitable persons and

provide certain essential qualifications. They are also prepared to watch the career of trainees and so gain an estimate of the value of the training. The Dominion Governments are not prepared to assist financially in the training, though they are willing to provide instructors, implements, and equipment. The Dominions generally are against training women for agricultural pursuits.' After expressing the opinion that complete agricultural training can only be obtainable locally, the sub-committee emphasises the importance of improving rural amenities, and urges the Dominion Governments, to study the problem of finding additional opportunities for industrial workers, pointing out the steady flow of skilled workers now going on to places outside the Empire. STIMULATING MIGRATION OF WOMEN. The Australian representatives, in the hope of stimulating migration of women, agreed to recommend free passages for domestic workers. It is announced that the Migration Commission is investigating the possibility of an extension of the scope of Government assistance. New Zealand similarly has agreed to free passages for all approved boys and girls under 19 years of age, and all approved single women between 19 and 40 years. Australia also is contemplating a more active campaign with a view to stimulating the migration of public school boys. The Australian representatives agreed to recommend contributions towards the cost of a domestic training scheme in England for untrained women. The sub-committee decided to introduce as soon as possible a scheme for approving the appointment of permanent women conductresses on shipboard for parties of single or unaccompanied women migrants, the cost to be borne jointly by ‘the English and Australian Governments. SUCCESS OF “BIG BROTHER” MOVEMENTS. The report pays a tribute to the success of the “Big Brother” movement, of which Canada has undertaken to explore. Canada has decided to establish free medical service in-Britain,, whereby the examination of prospective settlers will be carefully systematised. RESOLUTION OF CONFERENCE PROBLEM OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20. The Plenary Session of the Imperial Conference considered and adopted the Overseas Settlement Committee’s report, which includes the following resolution“ The Conference is of opinion that the problem of oversea settlement, namely, redistribution of the white population of the Empire , in the best interests of the whole British commonwealth, is of paramount importance, esI pecially as between Britain on the one hand and Canada. Australia, and New Zealand on the other. The Conference notes with satisfaction that the redistribution of population is being accelerated bv the policy consistently- pursued since the Conference of 1921. It endorses the view then expressed, that the policv should be permanent. It recognises that owing to financial, economic, and political considerations it would he impracticable to promote mass movements of the population, but it is satisfied that bv continuous adherence to the present policv it should be possible steadilv to increase the flow of population tn those parts of the British commonwealth where settlers are most needed for development and gen'-ral security, and where tlmv will find the greatest opportunities." CANADIAN AGREEMENT RENEWED FOR TWO YEARS (Rec. November 21, 11.5 p.m.) Ottawa, November 20. The Minister of Immigration announces the renewal for a period of two years of the assisted passage agreement arranged in 1925 for farmers, farm labourers and domestics from the British Isles. The passage rate is reduced from £fl to £2._