Regret and Surprise

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 9

Regret and Surprise

SLOWNESS OF MIGRATION

Britain's Pressing Problem

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and ~N.Z. Press Association.) (United Service) Received 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Monday. ONE cannot see how the heavy industries can give a living to all those at present attached to them, or who look to them for a livelihood, in the next few years,” declare Mr. Warren Fisher, Sir John Cadman, and Sir David Shaekleton,' in the Industrial Transference Board’s .report, which estimates that there are 200,000 unemployed miners and 100,000 unemployed in the shipbuilding, iron and steel and heavy industries.

The report affirms that these must remain the nation’s economic hackbone and recommends a permanent removal of men from the depressed industries to areas elsewhere, where the prospects are more favourable. There are chances of absorption of large numbers of productive workers overseas, and first-rate material is available. A realisation of the facts and a goodwill to turn them to account Is essential. The board appeals for a j practical application of them, espec-! ially in relation to-older men. REGRET AND ASTONISHMENT “It is a matter for regret and astonishment, how disappointingly slibw is the rate of settlement of Britons in Australia and Canada, notwithstanding the Empire Settlement Act. Even if it were the case, which it obviously is not, that the two Dominions had reached the limit of their absorptive power, it is to be noted that Canada last year absorbed 82,000 Continental Europeans and Australia 22,000 non-Britons. “Empire settlement needs to be a really effective force. It will bring cumulative'gain to the Dominions, and go far to solve our special problem. The present complications and restrictions discourage potential settlers. Radical simplification of these is imperative. Passage , rates should be reduced more nearly to pre-war levels. Even then some will be unable to find the money for clothes, tickets, etc. TANGLE OF PROCEDURE “Such needs should be met in the next five years. We doubt if the Commonwealth States appreciate how adversely the inclination to migrate to Australia has been affected by the frequent and sudden changes in requisitions, also the varying conditions introduced. “Boy migration schemes lack uniformity. The bulk of the migration is .through voluntary societies. There is need for a period of stability. People cannot be brought to believe the Dominions seriously want them