REDISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1926, Page 9

REDISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

MIGRATION PROBLEMS FACED BY CONFERENCE GOVERNMENTS ADVISED TO EXTEND PRESENT POLICY SETTLEMENT OF BRITONS IN OVERSEAS DOMINIONS . (Press Association—Copyright.) Received November 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 19. The Overseas Settlement Sub-committee of the Imperial Conference commences its report by stating- that it accepted the definition laid down at the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923, that the objects of Empire settlement were the redistribution of the white population of the Empire in the best interests of the Empire as a whole. It therefore recommends the Governments of the Empire to persevere by continuing to enlarge this policy, disbelieving the possibility of solving the problem by mass movements.

The sub-committee especially dissociates itself from the idea that the mere transfer of large numbers from Britain to the open spaces in the Dominions will provide a solution. It is convinced that a sound policy must be based on scientific and carefully considered schemes designed to secure the settlement of suitable persons under conditions conducive both to their well-being and the prosperous development of the Dominion in which they settle. Nevertheless it is important to accelerate the redistribution of population and the outward flow could be stimulated to the general advantage of the whole British Commonwealth by the cooperation of the different governments. The sub committee examined the obstacles to a more rapid redistribution and the members find themselves in complete agreement that the distribution is most rapid when general prosperity is greatest, when capital is available and employment is abundant. It is recognised that the bulk of the British population, especially the younger generation, is urban, whereas the Dominions primarily need agricultural development, but such development will strengthen the general economic position in the Dominions’ growth whose secondary industries will conduce to an increased flow 'of population from Britain. ECONOMICS AND RESEARCH. Economies and research bear importantly upon settlement, while adequate marketing provision must accompany settlement, and the spirit of co-opera-tion among the producers should be stimulated. The portions of the Empire specially interested in settlement are Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia, whereas Africa ..considers her field limited and the Irish Free State and Newfoundland intimate that local conditions preclude co-operation in settlement schemes. The sub-committee reviews the action taken in the various Dominions, with an occasional expression of < pinion thereon. For example, it urges the development of the nomination system whether by previous settlers, collective nomination by the churches and societies or groups, but it considers the ideal form of migration is family settlement. The sub-committee therefore has devoted special attention to the possibility of increasing the facilities for this purpose. It agreed upon the desirableness of largely increasing juvenile migration, for which there were practically unlimited openings under schemes offer ing satisfactory guarantees for the migrants’ welfare. The number of women migrants shows an improvement, but a large further increase is necessary. The sub-committee recommends the preparation of a definite scheme for assistance to supplement in New Zealand and legislation for the settlement of families possessing capital, adding that the assistance granted by the British Government in Britain should not exceed an average of. £2OO per family. Regarding group settlement the subcommittee endorses the opinion of the Economic Conference of 1923 that experiments should be made therein, and regrets that little has been done since, but considers that more should be done

in view of the progress of the West Australian schemes. The sub committee is of the opinion, however, that group settlement must depend for its success largely upon the leadership of the group. It also stresses the importance of the organisation of settlers for the discussion of their difficulties and requirements. Moreover, generally speaking, it is felt that the experiment of selecting groups from the same area in Britain has not proved superior to other methods of selection. The sub-eommittee recommends the Governments of Britain and the Dominions to co-operate to assist British settlers to acquire their own farms when they have gained the necessary experience and are able to pay a deposit on the purchase price. Training receives close attention in the report. The sub-committee states that the Dominion representatives generally are of the opinion that what is needed is a short, intensive course, which will eliminate unsuitable persons and provide certain essential qualifications. They arc also prepared to watch the careers of the trainees and so gain an estimate of the value of the training. The Dominion Governments are not prepared to assist financially in the training, though they are willing to provide instructors, implements and equipment. The Dominions generally are against the training - of women for agricultural pursuits. PROBLEMS OF TRAINING. After expressing the opinion that complete agricultural training can only be obtainable locally the sub-committee emphasises the importance of improving the - rural amenities, and urges the Dominion Governments to study the problem of finding additional opportunities for industrial workers, pointing out the steady flow of skilled workers now going on to places outside the Empire. The Australian representative, in the hope of stimulating the migration of women, agreed to recommend free passages for domestic workers. It is announced that a migration commission is investigating the possibility of the extension of the scope of. government assistance. New Zealand similarly agreed to free passages for all approved boys and .girls under nineteen and all approved single womtn between nineteen and forty years of age. Australia is also contemplating a more active campaign with a view to stimulating migration of public school boys. The Australian representatives agreed to recommend contributions towards the cost of a domestic training scheme in England for untrained women. The sub committee decided to introduce, as soon as possible, a scheme approving of the appointment of permanent women conductresses on shipboard for parties of single or unaccompanied women migrants, the cost being borne jointly by the English and Australian Governments. The report pays a tribute to the success of the “big brother” movement, the possibilities of which Canada has undertaken to explore. Canada has decided to establish a free medical service in Britain, whereby the examination of prospective settlers can be carefully systematised.