EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1923, Page 2

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

AND DOMINION’S RESOURCES. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 31. Lord St. John Bletsoe, presiding at a meeting of the Nation House, organised by the British Dominions Emigration Society, said that within fortyone years, the society had assisted 28,724 people to emigrate to the Dominions. The Earl of Devonshire pointed out that although Empire settlement had developed since the war, the movement still needed the co-operation of the existing societies. The Overseas Settlement Committee, which was operating under the Empire Settlement Act, was most anxious to work in the closest harmony and co-operation with such societies. He desired to emphasise the Government’s Empire Settlement policy which, he believed the mnjoritv of thinking people supported, was the expedient of an attempt to grapple with pressing temporary problems. It was a carefully thought out plan, looking forward to the future in tho hope and belief that it would prove beneficial for generations to come. The Government believed that a well-or-dered system of a movement within the Empire, would developo the great resources of the Dominions.

In the course of a discussion, Sir Joseph Cook said tile Dominions were not advocating migration because of tlio unemployment in Britain. They would advocate it, even if there were no unemployment there, for the purpose of developing, peopling and the defence of the empty Dominions.