EMPIRE MIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1924, Page 2

EMPIRE MIGRATION.

THE DELEGATION’S REPORT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May Iff. Secretary Somervell, of the Overseas Migration Delegation, received British press representatives, and he explained the Migration Delegation’s report, now issued. He pointed out that the delay in issuing it has been due to Mr Smith’s long illness. He stated General Wane-hope was supplying tho War Office with a special private report dealing with land settlement for ex-service men, towards which the total delegit tion felt that such an outlet should lie steadily held out before tlie time-expiring service men.

Questioned with reference to the Australian La hour Party’s viewpoint of migration, he said that it was liutli intelligible and comprehensive. Aiis-' trnlian Labour was not opposed to the opening up of unsettled areas, but it was concerned lest the settlers sh-jiilu drift to the cities, and increase the problems of housing of Labour, though none iif these problems in the Australian cities was anything like as acute as in Britain. He said tho whole delegation was convinced that the present arrangements for the reception of migrants of all classes were well and carefully thought out. and gave the strongest support to the efforts of the New Settlors’ Leagues. They hoped that these would lie extended over llu*". wlm'e ••'- Australe*in "iving to now settlers tin* benefit of local help ami advice, instead of their having continually to look to Government Depnrtmean for assistance. I lie Migration Committee estimated that fifty thousand migrants were capable of absnrbtinn iii 1021. This was based on a conservative calculation, and it presupposed a continuation of the present steady jit-ogress in land settlement. It took in!o consideration the partial depression in agriculture which is operating all over the world. If there were a better outlook for the marketing of fruit and produce of all kinds, it would considerably increase the number of ill'.-. grams who would he absorbable. Replying to a question, he relused to i immeiit on the effect of the neural dilation of the Imperial Conference j:reference resolutions iiji.ni Australasian settlement.

The Migration Delegations' report i:, cue co'.eiing 12! printed pages. It is large!*.' descriptive of the* conditions in Australia, and part ot the general rucanimondatious has already been cabled.

The reourt refers ti the suspicion oxi-ling in Australia that the .Migration Mission was due to tlu* British j Government's desire to reduce the irncr.ipioyincnt in Britain. ’1 his view has been festered by the prominence given to isolated settlers wlei have not settled down immediately. '1 he evidence gathered by the .Mission showed that a majority even of there who were disappointed and dissatisfied during the first few mouths, generally settled down congenially before tho end ot two years. The Delegation states it found no evidence among disappointed migrants that Australia Mouse. London. had given them definitely misleading information, but many of the ret tiers had arrived at exaggerated ideas as to the ease and rpeed with which _ could he acquired, when they saw pictures of smiling homesteads. The migrants wen* apt to overlook the hard work and diseonstort preceding such prosperity.

ttecoguiring tii.il modern farming in Australia needs considerable capital, the Delegation approved of settlers lading required to find a portion oi such capital. Where a man had nothing of bis own invested, the temptation to withdraw under the* initial difficulties often proved tun strong to resist. Where possible, the best ami safest preliminary for a settler in taking up a holding was at least one year’s practical work oil a good lann in the district where he wishes to settle. Tin* delegation recommend that migrants lor grout, settlement .should not lie exclusively grouped in large areas, but should be associated with Australian settlers.

Commenting oil the ditfietilties ot a few families which went to Australia for group settlement, and were rejected after arrival, the report opines that _ tin* selection of candidates for group settlement should be made in l.ntidm. but state that ii is contended that this IM ,t feasible. Tile delegation were impressed and encouraged by tin* working out of the scheme-. They thought that hoy iiuigration should be confined to definite scheme., of training and apprenticeship, and should not be extended to the nominated system.