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Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1929, Page 4

Tub Overseas Settlement Committee of Pi rent Britain in a puhished report, expresses the hope that development schemes under the consideration in Australia will permit of larger requisitions for emigrants there than during the past year, and that tlic new Government' in Now Zealand will find it possible to restore its demands for settlers to the high level of three years ago. At the moment Canada, which is enjoying great prosperity as the result oi three good harvests, oilers the most tempting prospects to the settler, and ii file response from Great .Britain to the Inducements of cheaper ocean lares and new schemes for .settlement comes up to expectations there will be a much larger emigration to Canada than for some years past. Jt is estimated that 20.000 British emigrants paid their own fares to Canada during the year just closing, and tlie cut in fares, from £l3 15s to £lO. should enable a much larger number to cross the Atlantic in 1929. In regard to Australia (the report continues), there appears to he no immediate prospect of an increase in the number of official requisitions for emigrants, owing to the economic depression that has prevailed, there of late, uood results, however, are expected to follow tlie visit to Australia of the delegation. under the leadership of Sir Arthur Duckham, which has been con- • idering various aspects of economic developments in that country. Tlie Commonwealth Migration and Development Commission will presumably await the report of this delegation before preparing any schemes for absorbing larger numbers of emigrants. Economic causes were also responsible for the fall in assisted emigration to New Zealand from the, figure of 11,795 in 1926 to 44.-16 in 1927. The Dominion has si nice made a considerable financial recovery, and it is believed that any future increase in emigration will depend largely on the policy adapted by the new Government after it lias considered whether the country is yet able to,absorb greater numbers of settlors. However many people are found to be suitable and willing to emigrate to the' dominions, in Great Brtnin there will still, remain, in the opinion of emigration committees, the problem of the great numbers who cannot, for a varietv of reasons, proceed overseas or find employment at home. Men and youths whose physique and morale have suffered by long periods of unemployment, are generallv not acceptable as emigrants to the dominions, and tlie bnestion is how to restore their physical fitness and industrious habits.