OVERSEA SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12610, 22 November 1926, Page 8

OVERSEA SETTLEMENT

EMPIRE CONFERENCE’S REVIEW IDEAL FORM OF MIGRATION IS BY FAMILIES NOMINEE SYSTEM APPROVED **• Telegraph.—Press Assn,—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. Tlie plenary session of the Imperial Conference considered and adopted the Oversea Settlement sub-committee's report, which includes the following resolution : “Tho conference is of opinion that the problem of oversea settlement, namely, the redistribution of the white population of the Empire in the best interests of the whole British commonwealth, is of paramount importance, especially as between Britain on the one hand and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on the other. “The conference notes with satisfaction that the redistribution of population is being accelerated by the policy consistently pursued since the conterenee of 1921. It endorses the view then expressed that the policy should bo permanent. It recognises that owing to financial, economic and political considerations it would be impracticable to promote mass movements of population, but it is satisfied that by continuous adherence to the present policy it should be possible steadily to increase the flow of population to those parts of the British commonwealth where settlers are most needed for development and general security, and where they will find the greatest opportunities." MASS MIGRATION* USELESS (Received November 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. November 19. The Oversea Settlement sub-commit-tee especially dissociates itself from the idea that the mere transfer of large numbers from Britain to the open spaces in Dominions will provide a solution. It is convinced that a sound policy must be based on scientific and carefully-considered schemes, designed to secure the settlement of suitable persons under conditions conducive both to their own well being and the prosperous development of the Dominion in which they settle. Nevertheless, it is important to accelerate the redistribution of population, and the outward How could be stimulated to the general advantage of the whole British commonwealth by the cooperation of tho difir-rent Governments.

The sub-committee examined the obstacles to more rapid redistribution, and members found themselves in complete agreement that distribution is most rapid when general prosperity is greatest, when capital is available and employment abundant. It recognised that the bulk of the British population. especially tho younger generation. is urban, whereas the Dominions primarily need agricultural development. But such development will strengthen the general economic position in the Dominions, the growth of whose secondary industries will conduce to an increased flow of population from Britain. Economics and research bear importantly upon settlement, while adequate marketing provision must accompany settlement, and the spirit of co-operation amone producers -I • -’ *> ’ ‘ ’ --.i - WELCOME iuo portions of the Empire specially interested in settlement are Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia, whereas South Africa considers the field limited, and the Irish Free State and Newfoundland intimate that local conditions preclude their cooperation in settlement schemes. The sub-committee reviews the action taken in the various Dominions, occasionally expresses an opinion on them. For example, it urges the development of the nomination system, whether by previous settlers or collective nomination by churches, societies and groups. But the ideal form of migration is family settlement. The subcommittee, therefore, has devoted special attention to the possibility of increasing the facilities for this purpose. It is agreed upon the desirableness of largely increasing juvenile migration, for which there are practically unlimited openings, under schemes offering satisfactory guarantees for the migrants’ welfare. The number of women migrants shows improvement, but a large further increase is necessary. The sub-committee reepmmends * the preparation of a definite scheme for assistance, to supplement the New Zealand legislation for the settlement of families possessing capital, and udda that tne assistance granted by the British Government in Britain ■. lould not exceed £2OOO per family.

GROUP SETTLEMENT ituyaruiut; tjiuap xetueuiuiii., uie subcommittee endorses the opinion of the Economic Conference of 19:13, that experiments should be made, and regrets that little has been done since, but considers that more should be done, in view of the progress of the \\est Australian scheme, 'lhe sub-committee is of the opinion, however, that group settlement must depend for its success largely upon the leadership of the group It also stresses the importance of the organisation of settlers for discussion of theair difficulties and requirements. Moreover, generally speaking it is felt that the experiment of selecting groups from the same area in Britain lias not proved superior to other methods of selection. Hi* s ub-committee recommends that the Governments of Britain anu ,P°~ minions co-operate to assist British settlers to acquire their own farms when they have gained tho necessary experience and are able to pay a deposit on the purchase price. METHODS OF TRAINING Training receives close attention in the report. The sub-committee states that the Dominion representatives generally are of tho opinion that what is needed is a short, intensive course which will eliminate unsuitable persons and provide certain essential qualifications. They are also prepared to watch the career of trainees, and so gain an estimate of the valuo of training. The Dominion Governments arc not prepared to assist financially ill training, though they are willing to provide instructors, implements, and equipment. The Dominions generally are against training women for agricultural pursuits. . . After expressing the opinion that complete agricultural training can only be obtainable locally, the subcommittee emphasises the importance of improving rural amenities, and urges the Dominion Governments to study the problem of finding addi-

tional opportunities for industrial workers, pointing out the steady now of skilled workers now going on to places outside the Empire. FREE PASSAGE The Australian representative, in the hope of stimulating the migration of women, ngreed to recommend free passages for domestic workers, and announced that tho Commonwealth Migration Commission is investigating the possibility of the extension 3f tho scope of Government assistance. New Zealand, similarly, agreed to free passages for all approved boys and girls under 19 years of age, and all approved single women between the ages of 19 and 40 years. Australia also is contemplating a more active campaign, with a view to stimulating the migration of public school boys. The Australian representatives agreed to recommend contributions towards the cost of a domestic training scheme in England for untrained women. Tlie sub-committee decided to introduce as soon as possible a scheme for approving the appointment of permanent women conductresses on shipboard for parties of single or unaccompanied women migrants, the cost to be borne jointly by the British and Australian Governments.

The sub-committee pays a tribute to the success of the “Big Brother” movement, the possibilities of ivhicK Canada lias undertaken to explore. Canada has decided to establish a free medical service in Britain, by which the examination of prospective settlers will be carefully systematised.

CANADA RENEWS AGREEMENT ASSISTED PASSAGES AT £2. (Received November 21, 11.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, November 20. Tho Minister for Immigration announces tho renewal, for a period of two .years, of tho assisted-passage agreement arranged in 1925 for farmers. farm labourers and domestics from the British Isles. The passage rate is reduced from £3 to £2.