GROUP SETTLEMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1930, Page 6

GROUP SETTLEMENTS

FOR BRITISH FAMILIES. L United Press-Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright. J LONDON, September 30. “Group settlement is a way out for the present generation,” declares Commissioner Lamb in a v memorandum on migration drawn up for consideration by the imperial conference, in which lie states: “Successful settlement is only attainable' if it is helptul to the individual acceptable to Britain, and advantageous to the Dominions.” He explains that “group settlement does not mean mere transplantation from a British district, hut district settlement overseas in groups of men, women and children with experienced oversight. This is preferable to individual haphazard settlements, and is good economics. Its social and ethical advantages are obvious.” He emphasises tlie importance of a better distribution of women throughout the Empire, in view of their excesy by two millions, in Great Britain, while, lie says, men outnumber women in some parts of the Empire. Commissioner Lamb suggests that in view of the necessity for ten to tifeiity year programmes, there would he an amendment of the Empire Settlement Act. This should be in the direction of modification of its “fifty-fitty” finance, so as to permit Britain to . bear the whole, or part of tlie cost of ■ apr pr'ovetb Schemes, with the. Empire Settlement Board of five appointed to carVy out’ the act. 'He says: ‘'‘There has . been overmuch talk about the high cost of emigrates' in tlie past. We should settle as many of tlie unemployed as possible in the agricultural regions of the Dominions. The Dominions do not worry overmuch about tlie cost, remembering from a long view of Empire Settlement, that the experiment will pay better than paying out one million weekly in doles to the unemployed. After settled families overseas, their produce should he rendered independent of the market fluctuations until they get up on their feet. This means a subsidy their’: product falls, b.qlow a .certain.-; point.” ' : ,, ...j .inidni

Commissioner Land) : expects to (;diseiiss -the subject, witlyAH J. H. Thomas (Secretary, of State for the Dominion), i - - ' LONDON, Sept, ;,39. - M

; The I‘fMorning ijPostfi in ,aii ia|. comments on Lanrbpfs .scheme j amb suggests the revival, of chartered v.eonjO panies. -A'!./ vi s-f von u:-