NEW SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1920, Page 5

NEW SETTLERS.

FREE PASSAGES FOR ALL,

VAST EMIGRATION SCHEME.

FILLING SPACES OVERSEAS,

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright,

Received Dec. 24, 5.25 p.m.

London, Dec. 23. An Australian Press Association correspondent interviewed Colonel L. C. Amery (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), Mr. MeN aught on (viee-exdrman of the Overseas SeU;e;,ic;it Cimi.e.'.ttee) Mr. Percy Hunter (.w-uviii:;;; immigration Commissioner), .Mr. J. Ob-vi Smith (Superintendent of' Canadian immigration), and other immigration authorities.

The consensus of opinion if. that the British Government contemplates extending to civilians the policy now only applicable to ex-service men, under which applicants are granted a free passage for themselves and dependents, provided they are acceptable to the Dominion to which they propose to emigrate. It is I authoritatively stated that nothing will be done until the proposals are submitted to the Premiers' Conference in May or June, and the scheme is absolutely dependent on their approval. Colonel Amery vigorously repudiated the allegation that the Government contemplated "migrating either unemployed or employables" No emigrants would be sent unless they were approved by the official representatives of the Dominions, both as to numbers and qualifications. Heretofore the Dominions have absorbed exservice men applying through the Overseas Settlement Committee subject only to the limitations of transport, and it i's not proposed to depart from the existing policy, the suitability of the aeeeptahleness of emigrants being a matter of joint concurrence between Britain and the Dominions.

Mr. McXaughton pointed out that Mr. Lloyd George expressly stated: "I should like to see an emigrant scheme considered in connection with the Dominions, and this is one of the problems I hope to see discussed when we have a meeting of Empire Premiers in May in this country." Mr. McXaughton added that this statement amounted to .1 pledge that nothing would be done without the consultation and approval of the Dominions. Mr. MacXaughton said nothing could be done before May or June, as it requires six months to investigate overseas conditions and formulate plans. He strongly insisted on the necessity fo<the co-operation of Britain and the Dominions, and upon the promotion of the emigration of women and children without" waiting for the Premiers' Conference.

_ Mr. Hunter stated the present acute situation in England was owing to the cessation of immigration duringlhe war and the. natural increase of population which averaged a million annually. Consequently thousands capable of making ideal colonial settlers were readv to be recruited, besides great numbers' of women eligible as trainees for domestic service, and able to relieve the station in the Dominions.— Aus.-X.Z. Cab'e -Vssn