Empire Migration

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21090, 15 February 1934, Page 8

Empire Migration

Among (he cable news this morning appear sonic extracts from the repoi't of a Migration Committee, it js to be assumed of the ]louse of Commons; and they are remarkable for a more positive and urgent tone than that of, say, Uie report of the Economic Advisory Council's committee on migration, presented about two years ago. The new report, J or example, after pointing out that the growth of the Dominion populations has been checked by the halt in emigration, analyses the position of Australia and Canada as one unbalanced by the rapid development of manufacturing industries. They produce, or can produce, too much lor domestic consumption; they have no hope of an export market against world competition. Larger consuming populations, therefore, are needed. Hut the message hints no answer to the question, What are these new consumers to produce'' Settled largely on the land, they would aggravate the present difficulty of disposing of agricultural surpluses. Drafted largely to the factories, they would aggravate the difficulty stated in the report. That migration might be so controlled as to better the industrial balance: is possible; but the problem is not one to be solved by sweeping generalisation, or by wholesale movement. Second, the report stresses the importance of covering up the '"strategic"' weakness of the Dominions by large-scale migration; for "nations with rapidly increasing ■" populations covet their empty "spaces." The truth of this is yet to be established: but two things are certain. If emigration were to be a social and economic success, it would not be numerous or rapid enough to meet the supposed danger: and if British migrants were to be poured into the '"empty spaces" at such a rate as the supposed dang')'

appears to call for. 1.1k.; results would be contusion there and collapse in England. There are excellent reasons why Empire migration should be encouraged—and why its problems should be most carefully studied before it. is resumed. The. factors are no longer so simple as they once were. They are complicated by a groat many modern changes and, indeed, by a certain contrariety between Great Britain's interests and the Dominions'. The Economic Advisory Committee report drew attention to this in its plainest form when it observed Ihal, while Croat Britain would be glad lo promote migration now. the Dominions do not. want, it; and when they open their doors again, in better limes, Great Britain will have Jess compelling reasons to d'-sire entry. This is nol, of course, to :ay that there is 110 future for Empire migration, or that the fill 1.1 re may be I'-fl to shape ils-lf. If is lo say that, large; hopes, and large scheme:; should not be entered upon before the scope and objects and methods of migration have been fully studied. It. is to say that, the Empire cannot, afford 1:» lose the advantages - racial, social, cultural, and economic ■--of planned migration, and joust pursue them; but jt, must be prepared to find that the Jittle pig is belter than the whole hog.