ENGLISH EMIGRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1928, Page 2

ENGLISH EMIGRATION

DEAN INGE’S VIEWS

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

LONDON, August 16

As the outcome of extracts from Dean Inge’s articles on. migration (cabled on June 27th), Dean Inge has received numerous letters and cuttings on which he bases a lengthy article in the “ Evening Standard,” headed

“ No Room for Englishmen.’ Dean Inge describes his information from Australia as “ most disquieting, so far as the prospects cf the young Englishmen are concerned.” He says that the writers declare. that the official encouragement for migrants is misleading. ihe unemployed in Australia is almost as had as in England. He states: “While the sturdy English lad would he welcomed on the land he .probably would be workless by the time that he was twenty-one.” Dean Inge quotes a letter from one educated man, fifty years on the land in New South Wales, who says: “ What is the use of sending migrants to the country while it is a criminal offence to work except on terms which are often impossible for would-be workers to obtain.”

Dean Inge declares: The burden of the complaints is that the Labour Unions, by strikes and liy pressure upon the legislature, have forced up wages above the real value of the work done. Consequently there is a reluctance to employ labour except in businesses where the cost can he passed on. Thus, widespread unemployment follows. In order to prevent the public evading the necessity of hiring labour at fancy prices, ridiculous and vexatious laws in restraint of liberty are being passed. The tariffs are higher and higher. Farmers and others are obliged to buy dear and sell cheap. If a referendum were taken, there would probably he a majority for forbidding immigration entirely. Dean Inge says: It is not easy to reconcile this picture with that of a French journalist, M. Betoit, who wonders why Australians arc willing to accept the type of immigrants who were travelling on his boat, namely, Russians. Albanians, Jews, and Southern Italians.

Dean logo adds: It is impossible to resist the conclusion that the Labour movement lias definitely ended the great period of British expansion which began in the reign of King George 111. In a new country, like Australia, the privilege workman can enjoy temporary prosperity behind a Chinese wall of his own construction, hut develop-ment-is checked. r lhe population ol the world is clamouring for standing room, while the population ol Australia remains one-tenth of what it should be under free competition. Can this Chinese wall ho kept, as a permanent harrier? History suggests that, sooner or later, the outer barbaiians always break through.