MIGRATION REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1926, Page 2

MIGRATION REPORT.

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, March 17. Tho Migration Committee mainly recommends:—

(L) The question of reciprocal arrangements tor Empire social insurance be discussed at the Imperial Conference, especially the uniformity of period of residence as a qualification tor old age pensions. (2) ihe attention of the Unemployment Insurance Committee should ho directed to the diminution of interest in migration on tho part of persons aged about eighteen when they become eligible for the benefits. (3) Publicity bo given to any Dominions schemes of social insurance and tho existing facilities for the transfer of migrants’ insurance. (4) The extension of facilities for training juveniles in the elements of rural occupations. (o) ( A'il contributory system pensioners going overseas as migrants should be credited with a lump sum equivalent to a year’s pension m lieu of the pension they surrender on migrating. The Committee points out that tho steady rise in the standard of living in tho United Kingdom increased the reluctance to migrate. It also points out that tho restrictions on family migration were so serious that it was doubtful whether an adequate redistribution of the population would *be possible till facilities for families and married people were improved. This, in conjunction with Britan’s shortage of young farm workers and domestics, chiefly explains the lack of increase in migration, states the report. Dealing with the objection that Dominion physical standards are too high, the Committee emphasises that the strenuousness of life overseas requires some degree of fitness, but expresses the opinion that the height limit might reasonably be reconsidered.

The report emphasises the harmful effect of stories of unemployment received from overseas, where it is actually confined to town’s and city workers.

The report declares that residence in any part of the Empire should be accepted as a qualification for an old age pension. It adds: “Me believe Labour’s fears that a substantial increase in migration would lower wages in tbe Dominions are groundless; indeed, the reverse is the case. It has been doubted whether tho Dominions could maintain their present standards without tho substantial development of industries and agriculture, and for ibis the first requisite is more people. The report also points out that the high cost of ocean passages restricts tho number of unassisted immigrants who arc inclined to migrate.