57

A.—6a

equality of political status that we can arrive at a more perfect co-operation over the whole field of matters that interest the Commonwealth of British nations. Appointment of Committee on Oversea Settlement. Might I perhaps wind up this second-reading discussion by suggesting that the matter should now be referred to a Committee to work out the many details that have 'to bo considered both in the Committee as a whole and directly as between the various Governments concerned ? I would like to propose that a Committee be formed as follows : one or more representatives of Great Britain and of each of the Dominions to consider and report to the Imperial Economic Conference upon the epiestion of oversea settlement, and to recommend such measures as they may think desirable for the furtherance of the policy. Mr. Massey : I second it. The Chairman : Agreed. The names will come in to the Secretary, and it can bo left to Colonel Buckley to settle by arrangement whether it is convenient for the whole of his Committee to meet at once, or take preliminary discussions with the different members of it. Mr. Amery: May I just raise one point ? I assume that naturally the Irish Free State, which, though a Dominion, has an interest more akin in these matters to the interest of Great Britain than that of the other Dominions—that is to say, as a supplier of settlers rather than a receiver of settlers — would wish to be represented, and the colonies also ; but I imagine that India, whose problem of settlement is going to bo raised at the main Imperial Conference, will probably not wish to be represented. The Committee on Oversea Settlement, appointed in accordance with the foregoing decision, Submitted its report to the Conference (see page 67) on the 2nd November, and the discussion in the main Conference was resumed at the Twenty-first Meeting held on the 7th November, as follows : - Colonel Buckley : In presenting to the Conference the Report of the Committee on Oversea Settlement I only wish to say a very few words by way of introducing it. I want, first of all, to express my grateful thanks to all. those who have been on the Committee and have assisted the representatives of the various Dominions on the Committee for the very friendly spirit and co-operation which they have shown towards us. They have shown a desire to understand our difficulties, a sympathy with us, and every possible desire to meet us as far as they can. Results of Committee's Work useful, but not spectacular. Wo have not accomplished anything spectacular. By that I mean there is nothing in the report to which I can point and say that it is going to lead to an immediate increase in the stream of migration. But we have done a lot of useful work. We have explored the ground covering the provision and maintenance: of proper recruiting, of selection and reception. In this connection I might mention that Canada has decided to reinaugurate her immigration employment service, and to give that service the power of nomination, and I think that will prove a very valuable adjunct to emigration to Canada. Australia has agreed to recommend to the States the establishment of farm reception depots in the States, which are places where settlers can go for the first few weeks of their sojourn in their new country. Possibly they may receive some preliminary training there, and from there find their way into permanent employment. More Generous Passage Agreements. The most valuable work that wo have done has been, I think, to conclude more generous passage agreements. Unfortunately, we have not been able to persuade the shipping companies to reduce their freights, but wo have agreed between ourselves to give more generous passage agreements to Australia and Canada, and this ought to be very helpful, particularly with regard to getting families into the Dominions. We have not been able to see our way to agree to any scheme whereby the dependants of a married man can be sustained for the initial months while he is in the Dominions endeavouring to find his feet, but the more generous passage agreements should help considerably in that direction ; and the whole problem of sustenance of the families of married men is going to receive further consideration on behalf of the Dominions. The Nomination System : Recommendations. With regard to the nomination system, I might draw your attention to the report, where you will see that we make two very useful recommendations : first of all, tnat the system should be extended by popularizing individual nominations—oy means of publicity and arrangements to relieve the nominator of his responsibility and to put the obligation on the, nominee; secondly, that collective nomination—that is, nomination by Churches and other groups or societies —should be encouraged. Group Settlement. We have considered and explored the whole ground very carefully in regard to group settlement. You will see that our conclusions on that subject are enumerated in the report, and I draw your attention to the final conclusion, which says that both the Canadian and Australian representatives have agreed to discuss with the Provincial and State Governments the inauguration of some such schemes in favourable areas in their respective Dominions. If they can see their way to granting any stretches of land by way of experiment, wo are prepared to try something further in group settlement than we have tried hitherto,

B—A. 6a,