EXTENDING THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1916, Page 5

EXTENDING THE EMPIRE.

SOLDIERS AS SETTLERS. SIR H. RIDER HAGGARD'S COMMISSION. By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright London, Jan. 12. Sir Henry Rider Haggard gave a representative of the Australian Press Association an outline of bis programme. He will leave in a few weeks and wi'l visit South Africa and then ali the capitals of Australia and New Zealand and see as much country as possible so as ;lo ascertain what openings there are for soldiers and ex-service men after the war either by settlement or employment. Cue result of the use of women workers would be a great exodus of men. He wanted to keep this within the Empire and not allow them to go to America and the Argentine. There, had been a great fraternisation of Britons and Australasians since, the war and the attractions of the colonies had been advertised. Many of the wounded would be unable to stand the English climate and would appreciate the orchards and farms of Australia and the dairying ol New Zealand.

'"My visit to Australia," said Sir Henry, "convinced me that it can support fifty millions. I consider the work of settling emigrants so important that I have volunteered to carry out the work in a honorary capacity, as agriculture, settlement has been my life study. 1 go without cut and dried plans to discuss possibilities with the 'Governments with an open mind, so as tt discover what associations or individuals arc willing .10 help. T shall invite suggestions in advance from all willing to help to try to solve the problem. ••'The scheme will possibly provide for assisted fores and help to finance the purchnse of land and to give guidance !!i'iciift,'-r. My present opinion is ih.u men. women, and children and widows might be included. ■- After my investigations I shall submit a report ;;iid recommendations to the Colonial Institute. Tam undertaking the task as a public duty, hoping the result will be for the good'of the Empire."