EMIGRATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 38, 8 November 1919, Page 7

EMIGRATION

IMPORTANT COMMONWEALTH SCHEME

THE IMPERIAL ATTITUDE

It would appear from an official communication received by each of the Aiienls-Genoral for the Australian States from the Hisii Commissioner's Department in London (states the "Morning Post") that the Commonwealth Government contemplate taking over tho.control and direction of emigration to Australia in. the- near future in co-operation with tho Governments of the several Australian States.

JniiniL'ration and emigration are matters utjori which the Federal Government is entitled, under tho Constitution of the Commonwealth, to exercise supreme authority, but in practice the Slates Governments- have controlled immigration, for the reason, principally, that the States own the whole of the unalienated lands, the possession of which is nccessarv to the success of settlement schemes. Tn Canada, when (hat Dominion initiated its immigration policy on the grand scale aliout twenty years ago, the Federal Government was (he largest landholder in British North America, aim' was able to utilise' the vast unalienated areas of the North-West Territories for the promotion of land settlement. Ills now thought thai something miglit.be achieved on similar lines in Australia d)y means of concerted action between the Federal Government, which has (he funds, and the State Governments,-which have the lands.

Tu the communication referred (o above it is stated that for the time being the repatriation of the Australian soldiers would be the chief concern of both (he Couimouweallh aud the States, but when repatriation had been practically comnletec.' the Commonwealth, aud Slate Governments might proceed lo deal with civilian immigration. It is added that the Commonwealth Government are desirous of stimulating the right, class of immigration as soon as possible, and in pursuance of that policy they hope to arrange: (I) For an early conference with the State Governments to discuss the ouesiiou in its entirely; and (.'} for the joint consideration of proposals for the financial assistance by the Commonwealth oE the immigration efforts of (he States.

An Entirely New Idea,

In the meantime a proposal of in e:-. lirely new character has Jieen brought (o (he notice of the Colonial Office by ono of the Australian Agents-Clcneral for joint action on the .part of the Imperial and Australian Governments in financing and otherwise promoting the emigration not only of British ex-soldiers but also British civilians.

It will be remembered that the Imperial Government, decided recently to inaugurate an overseas settlement scheme wheroiiuder British ox-Servico men and women desirous of settling in any one of the Oversea. Dominions would be provided by the British Government 'with free passages for themselves and their dependants to their destination. Tho Australian scheme referred lo abovn proposes (o share with the Imperial Government the cost of the passages of cx-Servicc emigrants provided Great Brilain will share with (he Australian Governments the cost of (he passages of civilian emigrants. "In other words," wrote tho. Agent-General, "if a definito arrangement can be arrived at, covering a period of years, \'ie (Australian) State will,be willing {o snare with the Home Government, the cost of transport of every scfilcr o'v'erseas—ex-soldiers or civilians."

This proposal was brought before a Conference of representatives of the Colonial Office and of (he Dominions in London, but no definito decision was arrived at in regard to it. We understand, however, that the consensus of opinion was against, it, principally for Hie reason that, while the giving of financial' assistance to ex-scrvico men and women ia proceed overseas would bo merely extending to thorn the right to take their discbarge in any part of the British Dominions, the giving of such .assistance.'to civilians would practically nraonnt to a premium on the promotion of emigration from the United Kingdom.. It was further pointed out that, while the emigration of ex-Service men and women would automatically exhaust itself within a comparatively short timeprobably thrco years—cilivian emigration would be permanent and might involve a perpetual charge upon the British Exchequer.