Imperial Conference

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 325, 12 June 1911, Page 5

Imperial Conference

PARTICIPATION IN HOME A7FAIRS. COLONIAL WISHES MET. By cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, June 9. Mr. Harcourt said he sympathised with the desire in the Dominions for greater knowledge of the course of affairs at Home. He thought the result desired might be secured in a less formal way if the Dominions attached officers to the High Commissioners. He could arrange facilities for acquainting them with departmental work. Meanwhile the Colonial Office had officers serving on the staff of the Governor-General in Canada, and was sending one to South Africa. The word "visit" was substituted for "interchange," so that the motion recommended visits of officials of the Colonial Office to the Dominions and vice versa. In this form the motion was carried, and the conference adjourned till Friday. EMIGRATION TO THE COLONIES. CO-OPERATION OF BRITAIN. STATEMENT BY MR. JOHN BURNS. London, June fl.

At the Imperial Conference, Mr. Harcourt presiding, Mr. Fisher formally moved the re-affirmation of the 1907 immigration resolution, which was as follows: "That it is desirable to encourage British emigrants to proceed to British colonies rather than foreign countries. That the Imperial Government be requested to co-operate with any colonies desiring emigrants in assisting suitable persons to emigrate."

Mr. Batchelor 6aid the Conference would doubtless agree to encourage emigration within the Empire. Australia, like others, was drawing on Great Britain for a portion'df'her population, and was naturally anxious that their own race should be kept within the Empire. There seemed to be some lack of precise information in the Emigrants' Information Departments. He suggested the inclusion of representatives of the Dominions, on the committee, which would increase its knowledge.

Sir Joseph Ward said New Zealand did not favor a wholesale system of immigration, and naturally preferred Britishers. New Zealand imposed a strict test merely to exclude aliens, and he saw no reason to change his 1907 views.

The Rt. Hon. John Burns said that since the last Conference the objects of "the resolution had been secured to a great extent. The Dominions in 1907 received 54 per cent, of British emigrants, and 68 per cent, in 1910, while the figures for the first four months of ' 1911, if maintained, would show 80 per cent. In the latter period Australia and New Zealand received 10,000 more than in the corresponding period of 1910. The increase justified the work and organisation of the Emigration Department, and the type of emigrants had also improved. Emigration in 1910 representee. 60 per cent, of the United Kingdom natural increase, and a lower death-rate and lower infantile mortality alone prevented'the drain being serious. With a diminishing birth-rate it was unsafe for Great Britain to exceed 300,000 emigrants yearly. The Dominions were entitled to the overflow, but they must not empty the tank. He would advise the Conference to let well alone, and trust the Mother Country. He had nothing but praise for the way the Dominions cared for immigrant children passing through his department. There were occasional complaints of a rigorous standard with regard to adults, but this lately had been more generous.

Mr. Burns' statement was accepted as quite satisfactory, Mr. Batchelor said that any efforts made to reduce the twenty per cent, of the emigrants at present going outside ■the Empire would he appreciated.

Sir J. G. Ward said if the Dominions were receiving eighty per cent., that was as much as they could expect. He suggested altering the resolution to express approval of the policy pursued; otherwise it might appear that they were dissatisfied with what had been done.

Mr. Fisher offered no objection. , Mr. Harcourt suggested eliminating the appointment of overseas representatives to the Emigrants Committee. The department had not been designed to promote emigration to any particular Dominion. The only object was to supply accurate information. If representation was introduced competition might arise. He would undertake to keep the information of the department up to date.

Mr. Fisher said Australia had not applied the education test to Europeans, although for five rears a thousand newspapers had vilified them as doing so. There was a greater knowledge of Australian officers in England to-day than there was nine years ago, and he recognised the good work done by the various departments in effecting this change. Mr. Harcourt moved that the present policy of encouraging emigrants to go to British Dominions in preference to foreign countries be continned. and that fn'l j co-operation be accorded to the Domi'i: : ions. ! The amended resolution was adopted. DESERTED FAMILIES. RECIPROCAL LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS. Received 11, 5.5 p.m. London, June 10. Sir J. G. Ward, Prime Minister of New Zealand, formally moved. "That, in order to relieve deserted wives and children and the poor relief burdens of Britain and her dependencies, reciprocal provision should be made in respect of destitute and d«serted persons." Dr. J. G. Findlay, Attorney-General of New Zealand, said that reciprocity was needed to enforce the decisions arrived at in one part of the Empire in an-

other. Wife deserters from linghinU at

present could not be compelled to contribute in New Zealand except by an expensive process, under the Fugitive Offenders Act. Similar conditions existed between the Dominions. He hoped shortly that legislation would exist to enforce an Australian maintenance order in New Zealand.

Mr. A. Fisher, Commonwealth Prime Minister, said it would be beneficial if a federal law existed on the subject, and suggested that reference to the poor relief burdens of Britain be omitted, as the Dominions had nothing to do with them. Sir J. G. Ward agreed.

Mr. John Burns said that although they might agree on the principle, it was somewhat difficult to find a practical application. His department considered the enforcement of maintenance orders disproportionate to the benefits derived. If the Dominions referred the questions to their law officers, he would discuss with the British law officers the feasibleness of the remedy of making wife desertion a deportable offence. Dr. Findlay thought the matter a simple one. When an order was issued in New Zealand, he explained, a man could be called upon in London to show cause. Mr. Harcourt suggested that the resolution should read, "In order to secure justice and protection for deserted wives and children, reciprocal legal provision should be adopted." Dr. Findlay acquiesced, and the motion was carried.

The conference adjourned till Monday. BRITAIN AND HER DOMINIONS. Received 11, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, June 11. Mr. Hughes Acting-Premier, thinks the Imperial Conference is unlikely to result in material remodelling of the constitution or the traditional policy of Britain towards the overseas Dominions. One good result, however, would be a greater uniformity in legislation, and less misunderstanding is probable.