MASS MIGRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1932, Page 5

MASS MIGRATION

TO THE DOMINIONS CO-OPERATION TO BE SOUGHT. (United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, December 8. In the House of Commons a brief debate on migration arose on a motion by Sir Shirley Benn (Conservati\ e) urging that the Government should secure the co-operation of the Dominions in comprehfehsive migration .schemes. He thought the time was opportune to press this subject on business lines.

Mr A. A. Somerville (Conservative) seconded the motion. He suggested the setting up of a hoard of five business men to survey the Empire migration opportunities. He himself favoured chartered companies with Government guarantees.

Captain F. E. Guest (Conservative) advocated the mass migration of Empire communities, under the supervision of the State until the migrants had been settled in new surroundings. Mr J. H. Thomas (Dominion Secretary) expressed his general agreement with the purpose of the motion. He said a true Empil-e spirit was hot lacking to-day. There had, he said, never been below fifty thousand of their people ready and anxious to go overseas, but the Dominions had the same problem of unemployment as ourselves. Nothing was more ridiculous than to send the people there at present, but the machinery should he kept ready.

Mr Thomas said he believed that there were thirty-two societies engaged in the promotion of emigration. He felt sure that they could more effectively work as one organisation. He hoped that the day was not far distant when the Dominions would be able to welcome those who were anxious to go there.