MIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1926, Page 4

MIGRATION.

SEPARATION FROM POLITICS. SYDNEY, April 10. In Sydney a, fortnight or so ago the Prime Minister (’.Ur Bruce) announced that the Federal Government had decided to appoint a nou-pulitieal coin mission to deal with migration and matters arising from the development of the natural resources of the country. The proposal attracted widespread ininterest, not only in this country, but also in Great Britain and the, other Dominions. It is generally recognised here that the question of increasing Australia’s population by migration from Britain has too often been made the football of party polities. With every change of Government, whether Stale or Federal, there has been a

change in the migration policy, and too often a complete reversion. .Mr Bruce’s idea is that a commission will eliminate the political aspect, and that with representatives of la’ootir, as well as employing interests on the commission, a policy will be formulated that will obviate the necessity of constantly changing the migration policy to suit the political opinions of the party in power. Names of possible appointees to the commission are being canvassed. Details of V’e scheme have not been fully worked out, hut probably Cabinet meeting that are to he held in Sydney next week will advance matters considerably. Among the names mentioned in association with the commission are those of Sir Victor Wilson, .Minister lor Markets and Migration, who, having been defeated for the Senate at the elections last November, will retire from the political arena in June; Senator Drake-Brocknian. who delinquished his Senate seat in Western Australia to suit Nationalist-Country party machinal ions; Mr H. AY. Gepp, general manager of the Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australia; Sir Jospeli Cook, present High Commissioner, who retires at the end of this year; and .Mr E. Farrar, Al.L.t'., of Sydney, who was a Minister in the Fuller Government.

AA’hile generally the idea of the commission is commended, there is criticism even among some ol Mr Bruce’s eupporlbrs that the Federal Cabinet is overdoing the Govern men t-by-cominis-siou idea. Certainly, the Federal .Ministry’s proposals for various commissions me extensive, and the strongest opposition i.s shown by those who forsee that multiplicity of commissions will make the government of the countrv too expensive. 'P'orc is strong feeling that too many commissions end boards have been created in recent years. It is pointed out that each new creation adds lo the cost of government. and the amount of taxation to he extracted from productive industry. ■Si ill the feeling that the migration ami developmental commission will do much valuable work at present being unnecessarily delayed outweighs the criticism against it.