The Guardian THURSDAY, APRIL 17th, 1924. MIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1924, Page 2

The Guardian THURSDAY, APRIL 17th, 1924. MIGRATION.

ITiie Chamber of Com me ice had unde consideration this week, the questioi of immigration mider a proposal fron the Canterbury body which advocator a sustained etfoit in regard to immi. gratiou with the object of increasing the productivity of the Dominion. It was suggested further, that the question of cioser land settlement should be considered, and advantage taken of the Empire Settlements Act, so that unoccupied lands of the Dominion may, so far as possible, be made remunerative and the larger areas of occupied lands be sub-divided for the purpose of more intense cultivation. Ibis is a sound policy, and we hope Mr Massey would embody it in the new Land Bill he has promised for the coming session. The Dominion is not singular in considering this question. The matter of migration is being referred to at Home frequently for there the necessity for action is practically paramount. A London paper by the late mail is moved to refer to the matter. Once again, but not once .too often, says the. paper, has the pressing problem of over-population in this country, and its related evils of unemployment and high prices, been brought forward in proof of the need for an extensive system of emigration, which would not only ease the situation in Great Britain, but wpuld make* for the- economic tie-

velopmcnt and prosperity of Imperial industry and commerce as a whole. On this occasion, Mr F. Hodgkinson, a well-known Blackburn manufacturer, brought the subject before the members of the local Chamber of Commerce, and his- views are all the move convincing as coming from one whose interest in the growth of cotton within the Empire prompted him to investigate the development of our colonies and oversea Dominions. The usual cogent arguments in favour of redistribution of population, especially in the light of present conditions in this country, were advanced, but a fact that cannot he too deeply impressed on the minds of the public, and even of the business community generally, is the comparative impotence of the Empire Settlement Act, in effecting migration on the large scale intended. Itis a mtotor for no little surprise that, although nearly three years have elapsed since the passing of the Empire Settlement Act, the amount actually spent in assisting emigrants to settle oversea bus been less than half a million sterling, whereas according to the original intention three millions were to he spent annually for this,laudable object. It is quite apparent from this state of affairs that emigration from this country to the Dominions and colonics is not proceeding at anything like the rate that is necessary. Why this should be so is a matter for the Government and the emigration authorities to explain, especially in view of the fact that one and a quarter million of unemployed' in this country include many thousands of skilled men who, were the advantages and prospects existing in the oversea Dominions adequately and clearly presented to them, would be eager to take advantage of the assistance which the Empire Settlement Act and its very evident need for extension would he able to render. It is a. well-recognised fact that this country is carrying a far larger population than under present conditions it can economically and prudently hear, and it will ho only a question of time before the Government will be called upon to face a more serious situation than exists to-day, hut which would bo obviated by immediate and extensive emigration to other parts oT the Empire. A more extended policy of migration from these shores would not omy'curtail considerably the expenditure of £160,060.000 every year on the dole, hut those skilled men and their wives and families who emigrated would in due time become customers of the Mother Country as well as being successful agents in developing the Empire ami, what is equally important, in maintaining its true British character. All of which suggests that the oversea Dominions should co-operate to the fullest with the Motherland in the desire to see the very difficult position remedied.