EMIGRATION FROM RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 6

EMIGRATION FROM RUSSIA.

PROBLEM OF REFUGEES. The importance of a “definite solution” of the Russian famine problems was emphasised recently by Dr. Nansen, the High Commissioner for relief in Eastern Europe, under the League of Nations. “Feeding refugees does not solve the problem,” he said. “You may go on doing that for years. The practical task is to find some final solution of this question. This solution can be found in different ways. Some can return to Russia, though I admit tnat this may not be the right moment for that. The second way is to find employment for the refugees. This is rendered difficult because few are agriculturists, and, though it might be possible to settle many on the land if they were, t’ at way out is limited owing to the previous experience of the refugees. Then, again, the vast majority are unskilled. and this is the most baffling question which we have to solve. A third way is to provide for emigration. Here we come across the task of finding countries which will admit them, and then find the money to pay for their transportation. The commission is now busy gathering reliable information regarding numbers and occupation. A census is being taken, and full particulars of the last employment will be filed, so that we shall "know, after classification, where to find the particular craftsmen we desire for emigration to a specified country. In the meantime steps are being taken to ascertain of what class of artisan the countries which permit immigration are in need. In other words we shall develop a form of selective immigration.” Referring to an offer made on behalf of Jewish societies in England to undertake the cost of the transport and maintenance of refng?es of the Jewish faith. Dr. Nansen added: • What a magnificent example. I only wish other people would emulate whole thing would be so easy then. ’