SOLDIER SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3139, 18 July 1917, Page 7

SOLDIER SETTLERS

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION AGRICULTURAL TRAINING , NEEDED Ouo of the important points mentioned in the final report of the Dominions Royal Commission is the prospect of settling discharged soldiers on (he land in various parts of the Empire. Thu Commissioners state, first, that somo of tho preconceived notions with regard to emigration from the United Kingdom will have to bo modified. They suggest {Lnl. tho British Government will have to take steps to discourage the emigration of agricultural workers, and they hint at tho necessity for power being taken "to limit, or prohibit, the emigration of men, particularly men of military age, fioni the United Kingdom, except to destinations approved by the proposed Central Emigration Authority." The report mentions that it is not a. fact that Britain has a surplus of women suitable for emigration. The excess of fomnles. over males in thn United Kingdom amount to 1,329,000 for all ages, but ail examination of the statistics shows that much of tho surplus of females consist* of elderly women. Tho Dominions are not likely to make successful immigrants of women over forty-fivo years of, age, and thev do not want that Class. Dealing with the question of land settlement by discharged soldiers, the commissioners state that they did not see in any of tho Dominions "any strong desiro on. tho part of ex-soldiers to return to the laud. On tho contrary wo found that somo of those who had previously worked on the land showed no inclination to return to it. It must be admitted, however,, that, experience so far has been confined to men who have returned suffering from injuries or shock,- and that this- experience may not bo a sufo guido to the future." "Even grunted that military and other cxigoncios permit of male emigration after tha. war is over," says the report, "it seems likely that the' available shipping accommodation will bo so taxed to provide for tho Dominion troops returning to their own homes that there will be no room, for somo considerable time, lor other intending emigrants.' If, however, the Governments of the Dominions undertake special schemes, such as are now under consideration, for the settlement 'on-the land of their own ex-service men, wo think it most desirable that, vheve land is available, these schemes should be extended later on to cx-sorvice men who can be spared from the Mother Country: Indeed, wo gather that such is tho present intention of the Governments of most of the overseas Dominions. "Wo are strongly of opinion that if such schemes are to be a success they will have to provide for preliminary training in agricultural methods in the' Dominions concerned, and also for the snpply on easy torms of tho capital and equipment needed for tho intending sol-dier-settler for the profitable cultivation of his land. Wo also emphasise the need for such precautions as will secure continuous occupation, and prevent speculative sales of, the lauds' allotted for settlement." The. report also suggests that a, central authority will be Tequired to take steps for the co-ordination of the schemes of the various Dominions, and to assist intending emigrants in making their choice. This authority would interview applicants and refer them to. the representatives of one of the Dominions. Preference should bo given to married men or men accompanied by, female relatives.