■A.—7

1924. NEW ZEALAND

BRITISH OVERSEA SETTLEMENT DELEGATION TO NEW ZEALAND, 1923 (REPORT OF).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives Iry Leave.

REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE OVERSEA SETTLEMENT COMMITTEE FROM THE DELEGATION APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO CONDITIONS AFFECTING BRITISH SETTLERS IN NEW ZEALAND. BRITISH OVERSEA SETTLEMENT DELEGATION, 1923. Sir William Windham, C.B.E. (Chairman); Miss Gladys Pott, 0.8.E. ; Mr. J. Wignall, M.P ■ Mr. K. 15. Smith, C.M.G. ; Major-General A. G. Wauohope, 0.8., C.M.G., CLE., D.S.O.' TERMS OF REFERENCE. I. To confer with the Dominion authorities as to the best means of carrying out the objects of the Empire Settlement Act. 2. To explore every avenue which may present possible opportunities for the absorption of British settlers under the provisions of that Act. 3. To get into touch with such officials and others whose influence and experience may enable the delegation to secure the best and most reliable information available. 4. To visit and examine the conditions of training on as many as possible of the land-settlements already established or which may be in contemplation. 5. To ascertain what arrangements are made or are under consideration for—(a) The reception of British settlers on arrival; (b) their accommodation at the ports and afterwards ; (c) their distribution ; (d) their employment or settlement upon the land ; and (e) their general welfare. 6. To ascertain how far voluntary effort is at present used in connection with those arrangements ; how far it can be usefully extended ; and if such extension seems desirable, to use their best efforts to promote it. 7. To exercise a wide discretion in furtherance of their inquiries within the general spirit of these instructions.

To the Right Honourable J. H. Thomas, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies, and President of the Oversea Settlement Committee. I. INTRODUCTION. Sir — 1. Appointment op Delegation.—We were appointed, in response to an invitation from the New Zealand Government, to make certain inquiries into conditions affecting the general welfare and prospects of persons from the United Kingdom who settle in the Dominion under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act of 1922. 2. The Empire Settlement Act, 1922.—This Act empowers the Imperial Government, in association with the Government of any part of His Majesty's Dominions, to co-operate in carrying out agreed schemes for assisting suitable persons in the United Kingdom who desire to settle in any other part of the British Empire.

I—A. 7.