The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 25, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 25, 1928.

MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT Concerning the desirability of the suspension of the immigration policy of the Government at the present time, when the country is confronted with an unemployment problem that i-s for-

innately less severe than interested 'politicians would make it out to be, there is no difference of opinion. When economic conditions permit it, however, the resumption of immigration on a moderate scale would be in the interests of the Dominion itself. The scheme that is rendered possible under tne auspices of the Overseas Settlement Committee, of which Lord Lovat, who is now on a visit to the Dominion, is the chairman, provides for the co-operation of the British Government with Governments or other organisations in the dominions in the scientific distribution of tne population of the Empire. Of the operation of this scheme New Zealand has so far had no practical experience. As expounded in Dunedin says the local morning, paper, Mr F. Skevington, who is associated with Lovat upon a, mission that has been undertaken on behalf of the Overseas Settlement Committee, it is a scheme which has distinct advanaiges. It is not a scheme under which the Mother Country may secure partial relief from* her unemployment troubles at the expense of the dominions. To represent it in any such light is to place a wholly erroneous construction upon it. It is, however, a, scheme to afford to the surplus peoples of the densely-populated British Isles the opportunity of making comfortable homes for themselves in the sparsely populated dominions. Regarded from this point of view, it should make a wide appeal to all who are solicitous about the welfare of the members of our own race. ! It is directed primarily to the promotion of agricultural development, and since the proportion of the prosperity of the dominions depends mainly on the expansion of their farming industries, it should be 'specialty adapted to- their requirements, provided always That the migrants are of a class that can be suitably employed in rural work. Although New Zealand may not in present circumstances be able satisfactorily to absorb adult migrants, even though they may have had some training in farming pursuits, there is no apparent reason why continued encouragement should not be given to the migration of boys who are prepared to be engaged in the print ary industries. It was gratifying to learn from Mr Skevington that in the experience of the. Overseas Settlement Committee boys of 16 years of age onwards make the 'best type of migrants. That may be said to be the experience also in this country which has in the past four years received 2000 boy migants. in a large measure under the Flock House scheme, and a scheme organised by the Chamber of Commerce in New Plymouth—both schemes that have operated very efficiently. Boys of this age possess an adaptability that may not be shared by their parents, and, if they are industrious, honesty -.and thirftv, they have prospective advantages which are denied to them at Home, and both this country and they themselves will benefit by their transference to this land from the congested centres of Great Britain.