REDISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS POPULATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 6

REDISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS POPULATION

(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times/’) Sir.—Tho Imperial Conference will soon be discussing the momentous question of the distribution of the surplus populattan of the Mother Country among bur overseas Dominions. After doing a round of the various bodies in London at present interesting themselves in the matter, I regret to have to say that the position is far from hopeful. There is a want of co-ordination of ideas and a divergent view between tho home and the overseas standpoints that if not speedily altered will ruin any prospects of immediate success. The overseas idea seems to be that the Mother Country is most anxious to dump the “do-iio-goods” to get rid of them, and that the only emigrants who would be useful abroad are tho people who are urgently required at home, for example the pick of tho agricultural population. Both eoncepndris are distorted and regrettable, and a working policy can assuredly bo evolved by giving up preconceived notions and working toward.*; n common anti most desirable end with goodwill and understanding. Success is well within view on an extensive scale if tho line of the youthful labouring class population in the crowded centres bo followed by getting hold of those who are able and willing to work and to go abroad as they leave school at 14 years or older, by the assistance vi the etluc*-

tion authorities including the teachers of the senior classes, and then placing them, numbering tens of thousands, under the care of special county council committees (composed largely of farmers) who would distribute them, one boy ono farm for one year, among suitable and willing farmers all over the country. As farmers are not specially interested in emigration, and ns the labour of townbred boys would at first not be worth the cost of food and lodgings, the training and clothing of each hoy would cost ahout £1 per week, chargeable on emigration funds. This would bo quite apart from what the farmer in his own best interests would fed induced to pay to the boy as an encouragement to work his best, an* in consequence to learn most. To this end it is absolutely essential that all forthcoming imperial emigration funds, derivable from the Dominions and from tho Mother Country, he pooled and expended on mutual efforts from the start, which time and experience will show are necessary to command success. —I nm etc. ROBERT WALLACE. The I’nivcrsity, Edinburgh, October 22nd, 102 G.