Empire Migration Up to Dominions

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 17, 21 January 1937, Page 7

Empire Migration Up to Dominions

British Goremment’s Maximum of £1,500,000 DISAPPOINTMENT IN COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY', Jan. 19. The Dominions Secretary (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald) moved a .Financial Besolution in the House of Commons this afternoon as a prelude to the introduction of a Bill dealing with Empire settlement. The present Act expires at the end of May. Mr. MacDonald warned the House that the fact that the Government was proposing amending legislation did not portend unilateral atcion in the matter. It was for the Dominions to say the word “go.” He hoped the day was not lar distant when they could make a beginning, with the co-operation of the Dominions authorities, to expand the present volume of Empire migration. Two changes were forecast by the Minister. The maximum ligure which the United Kingdom Government could spend on migration schemes would, in the light of the realities of experience, be fixed at £1,500,000, while at the same time the maximum grant which they could give to any individual scheme would be increased from 50 per cent, to 75 per cent. The resolution was approved after Mr. MacDonald had given an assurance that the maximum of £1,500,000 would be increased if it ever were found inadequate. Prospect in Case of at Least One Dominion INTEREST NOT GIVEN UP. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Deceived Wednesday, 7.5 p.in. LONDON, Jan. 19. A small attendance of members of the House ox Commons listened with disappointment to Mr. Malcolm MacDonald's proposal to cut down the amount it is permissible for the British Government to spend on migration by half. Mr. MacDonald indicated the Empire Settlement Act will be extended a further 15 years. Mr. A. A. Somerville, saying the aim should be the development of the Empire so that there would be employment Xor all, added he would like to see a great company formed called tho British Dominions Unlimited. Mr. A. Sevan believed there was not the slightest chance of New Zealand, Australia and Canada adding to tlieir unemployment debts by any migration scheme. Migration stopped because the migration of capital stopped. Several Conservatives expressed the opinion that Mr. MacDonald had put v clamper on migration at a time when others were endeavouring to further a great Empire movement. Mr. MacDonald replied that a reduction of the grant did not imply a decline in the Government’s interest in migration. He believed there was'a prospect of a beginning being made in tho near future in the case of at least one Dominion. The resolution was adopted. New Zealand Investment* LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr. MacDonald said that no official estimates of British investments overseas were available, but a tentative estimate, obtained through the courtesy of Sir Bobert Kindersley, show that the amount of British-owned securities and private investments in Nev» Zealand was £140,000,000.