LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 2

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

WANTS OF CANADA. ENGLISH SETTLERS. Intending emigrants to Canada will be interested in the views formed by an English visitor of high professional standing who, freed from political turmoil after the General Election, in which he was defeated as a candidate for a Midland constituency, undertook an extensive tour of the Dominion to obtain at first hand some solution of the problem of unemployment In this country. His conclusion is that there is no doubt Canada w'ant-s Englishmen. “I have the authority of the -Minister for stating definitely that a w : arm wecome awaits any Britisher who comes to settle in this land of opportunity,” he writes, “and by a most perfected system of after-care settlement and in an entire, absence of vexatious interrogation everything possible is done for the new 7 resident to assist him in his venture- Immigration, however, is a subject upon which there are held widely divergent views. Some there are who favour unrestricted immigration; they desire the doors opened and a message sent for new 7 settlers from everywhere. Others favour entry only from Great Britain so as to preserve the British character of the country. Many advocate the superiority of the Nordic races, who have already done so much in the colonisation of the Middle West, while others maintain that the climate and conditions are best suited for Central Europe. There is the further view 7 that immigrants should be -helped financially by the Governments to come to Canada and settle on the land, whereas many others are entirely opposed to assisted emigration. “It is rumoured that the Dominion Government intend to disparage further schemes which involve assisted passages for British settlers. Whatever may have been the experience of the department in placments this year, it is authoritatively considered that failures among those who have had assisted passages are no greater than among those who have paid their own fares. Again there is the opinion that before any further development! is made in immigration generally, steps should he taken in Canada to keep there those who were horn there or who have settled there, and there is no doubt that regard should he given to this argument in view of the nunibers who have gone and are going into the United States to make a livelihood. Many in Canada look hack to the era when in one year the influx exceeded some 400,000 persons, and wonder why this figure is in no way reached to-day. Need of Population. “That Canada needs population is manifest, but it is quite clear that mere numbers regardless of fitness or opportunity are no solution. At least three previously existing causes of high immigration are not present now 7 —Western Canada offered large areas of free land on simple settlement. True It is that free land is still to be had, but it is limited and is difficult of access in comparison with .established settlements. Even low 7 priced land fails to make the same attraction. Railroad labour w : as in great demand, and this often meant a quick road to a free settlement, conveniently bridging the “waiting” period. Transportation w ; as really cheap. It is true that third-class accommodation has vastly improved, and that the new 7 comer travels in far greater comfort, and the term “steerage” has disappeared. I have seen this present class .of travel on a modern Canadian Pacific liner at meals, at play, an.d at Divine service on the Atlantic, and I fully appreciate the comfort of the journey, but the higher -cost, does create difficulty. The situation to-day of obtaining settlers and placing them satisfactorily becomes further involved at a time of smaller harvest and more mechanised agriculture. This year no labour is imported from east to west to assist in the yield. The cities must be kept free from the drift of unemployed- x , . “It is not practicable to bring in numbers of people to turn them loose in the towns. Emigration must not be considered as a method of hiding British unemployed; and there is no unemployment benefit in Canada. Successful emigration must entail more or less individual attention, and the provision for every new 7 settler of employment immediately upon his arrival. ” I saw in Winnipeg the comfortable and modern hostel accommodation provided for the newcomer and his family upon their arrival, and for use until leaving for the ultimate destination. This system could doubtless be extended to every likely centre, but must not be encouraged to act as an agency for stimulating a flow 7 to the towns. I also Interviewed several families w 7 ho had found the offered work unsuitable, and, by order of the Board, w 7 ere then awaiting deportation. Apart from the large cost to the various Governments, this deputation of "misfits” is deplorable. I never had a word of complaint as to the journeys or the shelter; it is always the type of work awaiting that was ill-fitting. This improper selection or misfit placing can be, and should be, obviated. It' is a complete fallacy to suppose 'that every industrialist can immediately be translated into an agriculturist. And one weakness is obvious —there is no clearinghouse for industrialists. To Increase British Immigration. “With Canadian industry'tearing to expand there should be industrial vacancies in large numbers, for which suitable men can be placed in their own work immediately. This omission should be at once made good. Information on the demand for labour of all kinds can be easily distributed, and various agencies could be utilised to inquire into particuar locations and areas. These reports and opportunities could be centralised and circulated.

'Non-British immigrants come in comparatively large numbers to Canada- For the fiscal year which ended in i 928, out ol' the total 151,000 in the official report, non-British subjects amount to 100,000 at least, and It is not clear that all from the British Isles are strictly immigrants. It is' unfortunate that, wide as the agricultural demand is, all real effort in England should be restricted to this class of the community. It is argued that the only way to increase British' immigration is to offer some prize or subsidy, but the key-note of successful British migration consists of selection, enthusiasm, and settlement. A good deal can be said in favour of British family settlement .schemes. These, however, involve large amounts of capital when carried out in any substantial way; and while only a small portion of the sum allot led by Parliament in England to the Overseas Settlement Department is being used, money might .well be in-

vested in this way. The 3000 family scheme has been a success, and has demonstrated the possibilities of this type of recruitment. There are many responsible colonisation societies in Canada. The schemes of the Hudson Bay Company and the C.P.1l. —which guarantee a selected immigrant Immediate employment in proper conditions—are highy successful. If some large project could be officially undertaken in conjunction with such organisations a great deal more could be done. The difficulties at present existing on ecah side of the ocean cannot be allowed to interfere with the development of the Empire, or retard the progress of the Land of Opportunity.”