FLOURISHING LEAGUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 11

FLOURISHING LEAGUE

TRADE AND UNITY IN EMPIRE IMPERIALISM OVERSEAS Since Mr. Eric Rice, the travelling secretary of the Overseas League, of London, has been in New Zealand, the membership of the league has been increased by, 25 per cent. Mr. Rice lias arrived iu Auckland from Rotorua, and, on Thursday evening, he will speak at the opening of the rooms of the Auckland branch of the league. Mr. Rice’s opinion is that people In the British Empire are realising, more than ever before, the worth of sane Imperialism. His tour has been in the interests of this ideal. “People are thinking and acting Imperially, and are recognising what co-opera-tion in the Empire means,” says the visitor. The increase of Empire trade was advocated by the Overseas League, and the improved demand for Empire goods—an indication of Imperial spirit —was especially evident in New Zealand. Knowledge of the eagerness in New Zealand for Empire trade undoubtedly added to the regard held in England for New Zealand. Suggestions advanced to the league for bettering such trade were communicated to the correct authorities in the United Kingdom. Referring to the question of British migrants, Mr. Rice said the Migration Bureau, London, dealt principally with emigrants possessing a certain amount of capital. There was also a “protege scheme” for youths of the poorer classes. Conditions in the Dominions were watched and the league took steps to see that its migrants were of a desirable type. In one and a-half years, only four per cent, of 650 boy emigrants had returned to Britain. Mr. Rice believes New Zealand offers excellent prospects for young men with a certain amount of capit *