EMPIRE MIGRATION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 15

EMPIRE MIGRATION.

ENGLAND'S MILLIONS. AUSTRALIA'S EMPTY SPACES. \ (sraciAX, to " tkb mßss.") WELLINGTON, November 10. Sir "William Beach Thomas, brilliant journalist, war correspondent, and author, left Wellington to-day on his return journey to London after a comprehensive tour in Australia, and a short visit to New Zealand. He had been commissioned to tour th« Empire for two rears in the interests of the two leading newspapers controlled by the lato Lord Northcliffs—"The Times'* and tho "Daily Mall." The death of his old chief and friend, Lord Northcliffe, has, however, completely altered his plans. Sir William was on a sheep station in Northern Queensland whon he received the news of Lord Northcliffe's death. He received a cablo message asking him to return to London, and, but for that he would have travelled through this Dominion from North to South, visiting the chief scenic districts, studying the agricultural and pastoral industries, and obtaining information about the possibilities in connexion with migration from Britain to this part of the Empire. Unfortunately he has had only fleoting glimpses of tho North Island of New Zealand, and his African tour has had to bo cut out altogothor. Sir William Beach Thomas has been favourably impressod with what little ho has seen of the Dominion, and has gained first-hand information regarding the migration schemo now in operation as the result of tho policy of the Massoy Administration. This policy appealed to him as being conducted on sound linos and capably administered. Sir William was much impressed with the possibilities for settlement in the vast empty spaces of Australia. Great Britain, he believes, has now six or seven million more people than she needs, and Australia has room for many millions more than she now has, so that a satisfactory scheme of migration would be mutually beneficial. Especially impressed was Sir William with the potentialities of West Au«tralia, which he thoroughly investigated. The Government placed every facility at his disposal, even giving him a special train with a cook and an attendant, so that he might see as much of tho country as possible. Ho had nothing but praise for the migration policy of that State. The country was being peopled with a good class of immigrants, who received very generous treatment from the Government, especially in so far as settlement on the land was concerned. Sir William, who in a keen lover of nature, has been much interested in the birds of Australia and New Zealand. Lord Northcliffe had told him on no account to miss the fishing season in New Zealand, and he had one good day's sport at Kotorua. Like his late chief, he has also managed to get in a round or two of golf.