EMIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1926, Page 1

EMIGRATION.

THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN. 'Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Jan. 26. What is generally acclaimed as the most valuable contribution to the problem of Empire migration was made by the Prince of Males, when re-

sponding to the toast of his health at a luncheon of the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club at tho Hotel Cecil in celebration of Australia Day. There was a most distinguished gathering, including the Japanese Ambassador, who sat between Lord Forster and Sir Joseph Cook. I-ord Forster proposed the Prince’s health. He said that nobody could aequately ’assess wlija-t the Empire owed to the efforts oT the R-oyal Famjlv, unless they had personal knowledge, from which he coulil say the result of flic Prince’s visit to Australia had been most astonishing. The Prince had confirmed their loyalty and strengthened their pride, strong though both were. The memory of his visit was ineffaceable. It was a great work, greatlv done, and all due to a great personality. The Prince of AYaies paid a tribute to the outstanding work of Lord Forster as Governor-General in Australia, in which lie was hound to remain interested. That Adas actually inevitable, once he had been there. “Even the memory of my visit is most vivid to-day” he said. "Though the hare hones of history did not count for much in a living era. the story of how the nations of the Empire had grown up was sueli that it could not he too often told. The most paramount

among the present links was the stream of men, women and children going to the Dominions. Tt was a flesh and blood link, which, he was sure, would stand the most severe strain. The stream must go on and grow for the good of all (cheers). On the one hand there was their overpopulated Old Country, and on the other the Dominions with vast, virgin territories, whose possibilities were im-

measurable.” The Prince of AYaies continued that migration must bo carefully controlled nr "it would flow nil wrong. For that reason, the closest co-operation was necessary. We must select and partially train migrants for the new work ahead ol them. Those ’’way down under” must give advice and look after the would-be settlers till they were absorbed. It all meant organisation because it was to-day’s most vital problem. and must be tackled. He was glad to learn ot the Church of England’s co-operation, and hoped other churches would join in. The Salvation Army and Barnado’s Homes were doing a lot, hut lie would like to see the more well-to-do people taking up land settlement in the Dominions as their future career. (Hear Hear). He wished to see the public school*- not nnly teaching more about the Empire, but. taking part in its development. The Prince of AYaies alluded to the excellence of the “Big Brother” movement and tbo wisdom of sending British school buys on visits to Australia. He was most interested in child migration. He had never seen happier iholdren than in the Dominions, but there were not enough of them. The sheep-owners’ scheme was a- noteworthy effort. “1 hope.” he-said, “you will not only share my interest, but my optimism. I look forward to the day when we will he able to smile with satisfaction at obstacles surmounted.” Sir Joseph Cook thanked the Prince of Wales for a notable speech. Ansiilia was determined to make even a greater contribution to Britain’s food supply. Mr Anicrv paid a tribute to the Prime of Wales’s speech. He said the migration problem was transcending all issues of party or otherwise. TPe was confident it would make the best of the Empire’s human resources and make the Empire even greater yet. It must be properly distributed.