EMPIRE MIGRATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 221, 29 June 1945, Page 3

EMPIRE MIGRATION.

DOMINIONS’ PRESENT WORK. NEW ZEALAND HAMPERED (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 28. The British Government to-day published as a White Paper statements of its views and those of the Dominion Governments on migration within the British Commonwealth. The United Kingdom’s views are contained in extracts from speeches in Parliament by Ministers between May, 1943, and May, 1944,. in which month the Dominion Prime Ministers met in London.

Since then there have been further discussions, as a result of which the Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African and Southern Rhodesian Governments have authorised statements of what they are prepared to do at present. An agreement has been reached with the Australian Government regarding the drafting of agreements to cover a scheme of free passages for ex-service-men, and of assisted passages for civilians from Britain to Australia, but at present the pressure on shipping is such that any substantial movement will be impracticable for some time. 'New Zealand is at present, and will for some time be faced with major problems of rehabilitating servicemen and remedying the extreme shortage of houses. The Government cannot contemplate embarking on a commitment to assist migration until these have been overcome, hut would welcome emigrants wno do not require special assistance.