OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1921, Page 1

OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

ARRANGEMENTS FOB NEW ZEALAND.

LONDON, Feh. 10

High Commissioners and representatives of the various parts of the Empire have just concluded a conference over which Colonel Aniery, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, presided, and the whole matter of overseas settlement was exhaustively discussed. The question will come up at the meeting of the Imperial Ca.hinel m June, Inn in the meaiilime tie British Government has given a definite promise to share the liananeial burden of emigration from this country with the various Dominions concerned. A new arrangement which has been made with the Overseas Settlement Committee will do away with the trouble which lias arisen through settlers for New Zealand taking passages to Australia with the hope of getting to the Dominion more speedily and eventually being stranded in the Commonwealth without money. All the exService men and their families to he sent out by the Settlement Committee, after being approved by the High Commissioner, have now to arrange their shipping details through the New Zealand Immigration Department. In this way the Depari men I will he able to keep a definite hold over them and ensure lhat no one hooks except by a direct liner to the Dominion. There are very large numbers of applicants lor passages lor the Dominion, hut the High Commissioner is not allowing the waiting list to become too lull, believing ill a steady and gradual process of einigra! ion. Difficulties w ith regard lo accommodation are being over-I come, and in this respect the Overseas Settlement Committee has chartered the Waimana. This vessel will sail oil the Ist 1 1 instant and the whole of the accommodation will he taken up by exBril ish soldiers ami their dependants. Sir James Allen has also gone into l he question of the financial position of intending settlers, and lie is hopeful ol coming to some arrangement with the British authorities, so as to ensure that all the set Iters going out to New Zen- ' land land with a certain amount ol money in I heir possession.