Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1939. NEW METHODS IN MIGRATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1939. NEW METHODS IN MIGRATION.

* AS Proceedings Hie Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress have thus far been reported, in brief cablegrams, common sense proposals appear to have been put forward wit) regard to a number of questions, amongst them that of Empire migration. The congress, we are told, reaffirmed that a more balanced population within the Empire is essential, but he Id that new methods must be introduced. The congress resolved to urge the Empire governments to discuss the development of migration and also to. ask the governments to shape their trade policies in order to strengthen Empire markets.

Thus broadly stated, the whole of these proposals should command ready approval, in the Mother Country and throughout the Empire. Some approach to balance in the distribution of the white population of the Empire undoubtedly is essential. A considerable expansion of population in the Dominions is necessary both for security and in the interests of satisfactoiy economic and social development. A great deal evidently must depend upon the application of new methods the Chambers of Commerce Congress is reported Io have advocated and fiillei information as to its conception of these new developments will be awaited with interest.

The new methods needed of course are those that will meet the contemporary circumstances of the various countries of the Empire and in particular the conditions in which development capable of providing productive employment lor additional population is possible. The first step in a practical approach to the problem is to recognise that the era of pioneer settlement in the Dominions is tor practical purposes and done with and that a new era has opened —an era in which the Dominions must develop to some extent on the lines that have been followed by countries of older civilised occupation, though it is not unreasonable to hope that in the countries of the overseas Empire some of the errors and shortcomings of industrial and general economic evolution in Europe and elsewhere may be avoided.

For many years in the comparatively brief history of the British Empire it was possible to promote migration to the Dominions on simple lines, with the occupation of virgin lands and their improvement to a point of productivity as the essential basis of the enterprise. Little scope now remains for pioneer enterprise on these lines, partly because the good lands of the Dominions have in great part been occupied, and partly because markets in Britain and elsewhere for Empire primary produce are now definitely restricted. The factor of limited markets closes the door on much that otherwise might be accomplished in the further subdivision and more intensive working of lands already occupied in the Dominions.

As the present British Prime Minister, amongst others, has acknowledged freely, the Dominions are under the necessity of developing their secondary industries in order that they may enlarge their populations and continue their development. This route of progress has its great difficulties, but no other route is open. /

Upon an intelligent acceptance and appreciation of these facts the development and application of new methods of migration—methods which ■will build up a more balanced white population within the Empire—must largely depend. As matters stand, the Dominions generally, and this country more than any other, are making the most of their opportunities of exporting primary produce and of expending the net proceeds on imported goods. In order to employ and sustain any large additional population, new economic activities must be opened up and these activities must make no additional demand on export markets which already are in some danger of being overtaxed.

If the Empire Chambers of Commerce Congress now sitting in London is prepared frankly to face and act upon these realities, it may be able to impart a. great impetus to the enterprise of more effectively peopling the Dominions. Obviously, however, the methods needed are those, which will make it possible to establish .people of the right stamp in the Dominions in self-supporting industry, and industry which will not convert the present flow of primary exports from the Dominions at any point into an unsaleable glut.

.Migration to the Dominions implies economic development in the Dominions, and the Empire Chambers of Commerce will best assist and encourage migration by helping to map out the lines on which economic development in the oversea countries may proceed most advantageously. 11 needs to be understood, however that no one does more to impede or prevent migration Ilian the British business man of the good old-fashioned type who maintains that the Dominions should freely admit new population and at. the same time should abstain from compel ing, in their own markets, with any branch of British industry or commerce. If the Dominions are to be peopled and developed the influence of that type of British business man must be suppressed firmly and finally.

AN UNPROMISING CONFERENCE.

()X the facts in sight there is hardly any hope of a satisfactory outcome from the Anglo-. Japanese conference in Tokio. In the statement in the House of Commons reported yesterday, Air Chamberlain denied that Japan was demanding a fundamental rovers;)] of the Far Eastern policy of Great Britain as a condition of the opening of negotiations, and added that Britain would not and could not so act in regard to its foreign policy at the dictation of another Bower. The general satisfaction and approval with which this statement will be received may be accompanied by some uneasiness awakened by Mr Chamberlain’s further observation that:—

In the opinion of Sir Robert Craigie, the Japanese official attitude would more correctly be described as a desire that Britain should endeavour to regard the Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japan’s difficulties and of the Japanese side of the case...

Dearing in mind thaf Japan is engaged in a policy ol predatory aggression and is endeavouring by brute force to subjugate and plunder a nation with which Britain is linked in friendship, il may be felt, to say the least, that Britain is under no obligation whatever to show “understanding of Japanese difficulties and of the Japanese side of the case.” The weight of informed and responsible British opinion presumably is that there is no Japanese side of the case.

Tin* immediate question for discussion, at all events, is the policy of violence Japan has adopted in blockading the British Concession at Tientsin. All hough it is intimated that negotiations are to be confined to “Hie local incident at Tientsin. ’ the blockade policy has been extended lor some time past to Amoy and other treaty ports, and according to the latest news is being' further extended. The true position seems to be that Japan is seeking by these me! hods to compel Britain to aid her ;ig;iinst China. It' must be hoped that Mr Chamberlain’s deeiaralion that Britain will submit to no dictation in her foreign policy is unqualified and will be maintained resolutely. The failure of the Tokio negotiations may be entailed, bid in no circumstances can the British Government be justified in becoming, as the London “Times ’ has said, “the passive accomplices of the Japanese militarists,”