The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST1 25, 1932. BRITISH MIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 25, 1932. BRITISH MIGRATION.

Intf/resting references were made in a recent cable to the British migration figures which show that in 1921. 136,777 people migrated from Great Britain; in 1931, 27,151. On the other hand, immigrants to Great Britain were 52,546 in 1921 and five or six hundred more in 1931. For the first recorded time, stated the message, fewer people left England to settle overseas than went to ■ England to take up permanent residence there. Migration figures .since 1913—before which year they were not kept except in the form of passenger statisticsshow that this falling-off in migration from the United Kinigdon is part of a trend that has been going on ever since the War. The question was discussed in March by the Midland Bank Monthly Review, which traced the chief cause in “the widespread unemployment associated with universal bus’iness depression.” Elaborating on this the Review went on to draw a picture of settlers, disgruntled and hungry, packing their bags after r few months’ residence abroad and returning Home.; hut little was said about the fact that the average number of immigrants into Great Britain since the War has* remained constant, while in the last few years emigrants have not left simply because there has been nowhi -• for them to go. Since the War all the Dominions and the United States ef America have considerably tighter d up their immigration laws, until at the present day mi-

gration between nations, even sisterly ones, is as frozen as credit. Looking for the effects of the phenomenon in Great Britain the Review is on safer ground. “An unrecorded addition to the red l total of unemployed" is serious because it adds to the country’s burdens; and it is doubtful whether' even with the return to prosperity it will be possible for industry to absorb economically the whole cf its labour supply. The problem is one that may be solved more readily by “natural processes’’ than others. Of these, one is the declining British birth-rate, which has been falling for nearly half a century. Eminent authorities have predicted that population will be stabilised in the United Kingdom about 1940-50. ’But the problem is of course not wholly or even largely that of .surplus British population. There is in fact a great danger of quite nrsronceiving it if those terms are introduced. Fundamentally the problem is that of directing to the areas when 3 development is possible the kind of emigrant best fitted to assist in it. For tile present there* will be little desire to encourage a further influx of population ta the Dominions, utif'l the present shortage of employment at least has been overcome.

It is gratifying to find that the heads of the’ Employers Asociation and the Watefsiders Federation have come to the decision to again confer with a view to the settlement of the differences over the question of a new scale of wages and conditions for work on the waterfronts. The decision of the Federation not to accept the terms offered by the employers at the recent Conciliation Council meeting, and the following cancellation of the award in force till then under the Arbitration Court caused consternation in many other circles, in addition to the two parties intimately affected'. The question of a stoppage of operations of shipping at. the, various ports of the Dominion is a question of vital importance to the whole cf, the people, and it was with a feeling cf relief that the news was received that work was resumed on Tuesday on the old conditions with new rates-bf pay, , pending ing a further, conference among the affected parties- It is to be hoped that same counsel will prevail and that a fair and reasonable agreement, satis-factory-to both the parties will be come to, so that the business of the country’ can he carried on without any. turmoil that a stoppage , ; of, shipping operations would Undoubtedly cause. :

Tho Ro»i branch of the N. 25. R.S.A, are holding a grand ball tb«mvrortw night in the Totara Hall for which very complete arrangements have been made.

The Hokitika Bowling Club at its annual meeting last night paid a well deserved-tribute to an old member of the Club when it elected Mr W. C. Braddon aa a life honorary member, the first to receive this, special recognition.

While engaged in his workshop at Greymouth,. Tuesday evening, Mr. J. Hadland received severe-injuries to hjs right hand when it came into contact with a circular .saw. He was admitted to the Grey River Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate one finger.

It was reported at the annual meeting of the Bowling Club that already inquiries were being made in connection with the annual tournament which is to be held at Hokitika this season in February next. It was stated that quite a number of East Coast rinks had fsignifieqj their intention of taking part therein. Application is being made by the Club for the use of the Mental Hospital green for the tournament. This would enable the whole of the visitors to be domiciled in Hokitika for the! tourney' instoac of the Greymouth green being utilised for the overflow as was the case on the last occasion. With the two greens in use accommodation will be available in the rinks for 128“ players to take part.

Prior to her forthcoming departure for the Old Country on a holiday trip Mrs Hugh Park was entertained by her numerous friends in All Saints’ Hall on Tuesday afternoon when there was a large attendance. On behalf of he) 1 ' well-wishers Mug Park was presented with a liand-bag by Mrs G. Perry, the assemblage wishing their guest an enjoyable, journey and a safe return. Mrs Park, in her reply thanked her friends for the tc.itiinents expressed and iscid that, while she was looking forward to hen holiday, the anticipation cf held return to Hokitika would also he pleasant. During the afternoon items were ’contributed as fellow:—Vocal solos—Mesdames F. Chesterman, A. E. Perry and B. Wilson. Mm H. J. W. IvnmHs slaved * violin obligato to Mrs Wilson’s song, the accompaniments being played by Mrs Carver. A competition was held, it being won by Mrs Park. “Arid Bang Syne” and the National Anthem brought an enjoyable afternoon to a close.