SENATOR MILLER’S MISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1920, Page 1

SENATOR MILLER’S MISSION

STRANDED SOLDIERS AND IMMIGRATION PROBLEM. LONDON, November 3. Interviewed on his arrival at Dover, Senator Milieu said: “I’m not the prospective High Commissioner. The length of my mission will depend entirely upon the Geneva Conference. 1 hope to leave for Australia within six months, after completing Mr Watt’s job, who downed tools in the middle of it A part of my mission is the reorganisation of Australia House, but I have no intention of riding roughshod over Mr Fisher and putting the wind up his staff. “Reorganisation is impossible,” said Senator Milieu, “without the consultation and loyal help of those who have been running the place for years. Please do not refer to my staff as a large one. Japan is sending 6.2 to Geneva. We have tough work ahead to obtain some finality regarding our mandates. The whole staff will accompany me to Geneva. Mr Percy Hunter will be required for consultation regarding immigration which task will be taken up immediately the Geneva Convention finishes,” “Mr Fisher,” added Senator Milieu, “has already spoken to me on behalf of the stranded A.I.F. men, stating that their number is at least 1000. lam sympathetic, and intend dealing with the matter from tbe outset, but repatriation must stop some time. Whatever steps are now taken must be final. Some machinery in Australia dealing with them has already ceased working. X hope, however, that the stranded soldiers were not serious in their threats made in some quarters that they will prejudice our campaign for settlers. That is not Australian, and offenders wi'l not be repatriated.” Senator Milieu said: “The most important immigration problem is liner accommodation. 1 am so far averse to chartering special steamers, because cargoes are difficult to obtain on this side. I believe that an amicable arrangement with tbe shipping companies is tbe best. If that is impossible, 1 will unhesitatingly charter. I have seen enough this trip to understand that the only way to get emigrants in a satisfied frame of mind is te devote each ship to a' single class, and J will endeavour to induce the companies to agree.”—Sydney “Sun.”