MIGRATION PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 10, 6 October 1927, Page 12

MIGRATION PROBLEMS

Sir,—No one reading the eloquent and stirring address of Sir Henry Cowan, tho member, of the British House of Commons, at the English Speaking Union’s luncheon, but would feel impressed and realise as lie does the call of filling up our empty spaces with our own people from home. As he says, there are 45 million people in that little island, and we are but one and a half. It is vital to both our countries and Australia. But I would like to suggest to Sir Henry Cowan that on his return to Britain ho might get in touch with our capitalists and persuade them to invest their millions in New Zealand and Australia and help to develop and open up our waste places. Both the Old Land and the Dominions would give a splendid return in helping relieve the congestion and eimplying the problems that are facing us now. Sir George Paish, who is one of the greatest authorities on economics, said in his speech at Cambridge, England: “A hundred million sterling placed in tho colonies would give a return of one to two thousand in increase of world trade." Having met Sir George Paish and heard him speak of the world’s resources, one can feel absolute confidence in his statements.

it is capital the Dominion needs to develop her great waste places. We can soon get the people. At the present moment New Zealand is absorbing all she can take. The Mayors of the different capitals can fell you the tremendous calls they have had and the distress from the unemployed, ami the strain it has meant to them to find work, and what can be worse than to see able-bodied men with families dosiring work and unable to find it—the children wanting bread in this fair land of New Zealand? Then also I know that the Minister of. Migration and Mr. Thompson, the Director of Migration, are doing their very utmost to find work and places for the new settlers coming out. Sir Henry and Lady Cowan have done and are doing magnificent work for the Empire, as thoso who have come in touch with them know. It would be splendid both for Britain and tho Dominions if many more members of the House of Commons were to come out here. While in England I was invited bv Lady Cowan to go down to their house in the country to speak to a large number of their constituents on the movement pertaining to migration. On talking to some of the members afterwards I was appalled at the great ignorance displayed in regard to oui Dominions. Ihe children of New Zealand know more of Britain than a large proportion of the British people know of the Dominions. Sir Henry Cowan in the interview with the representative of The Dominion said he was sorry to see so much apathy lioth at Home and out hero to migration. I would like if I may to pay a little tribute to tho Overseas bettlenient Office in London and say that never have I met either men or women who are doing more for our Dominions. Our High Commissioner knows what at the present time New Zealand can absorb, and is only eager to get those who would make good settlers. IHere is one weak spot in migration and that is in allowing shipping agents to send people out. If the Overseas bettlement Office ami men such as Mr. Bulklev Evans, who cho<isos <)Ui’ public school boys, had Hho sending of our new settlers there would be no complaints. Then, too, if our Government, together with the Home Government, could pay tho agents’ salaries, instead of the shipping companies paying a head for every one sent it would help considerably. That is, of paying the agents, pay over to the G l' e have el watched very carefully what is being done at Homo. lhe difficulties are great, but not too great to be overcome, especially by those .''“o“® heart and soul are for the welfare of the Empire. Then, too the various societies, both in the Dominions and at Home, are composed of men and women who are doing great and noble work for migration, and are prepared to do more. It is the overlapping that causes the trouble. . . I spoke to the Women’s Falriobc League in London. They are ming great work, but so I®, *-he Victoria League, the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the Church Army and others one cculd mention, but the great thing 13 ,U’ at if you can get the capital and the ships, the Dominions would soon absorb the immigrants. . , - Mr. Bruce, tho Prime Minister of Australia, is one of the most brilliant Premiers in the Empire and has gone into the question thoroughly. In fact, the Director of Migration at Australia House is one of the highest paid men in tho service. I had tho privilege of going to every State in Australia. Its resources are colossal al ijL are , harely touched. It must be filled by our own people. Mr. Coates, our own Primo 1 Minister, and Mr. Bruce are men who fought for their Empire and their country. One of the things which appeals more than anything cbe is that these mon were willing to give Heir all and are now working to i.ne °i their best to protect that for which they of His Excellency the Sov-eruor-General to the Early bettlera 6 one that should be printed and distributed to every new settler cciring <it. Thev just need those insp.ci-ig voids, and'if they come out with rhe wonderful spirit that brought out those early sot tiers one need not feor or this landl of New Zealand. The. Domimons are favoured to be so shortly entej am fng the Minister of State tor the Do minions, Mr. (and Mrs.) Amery. There wuld not be a better man nor one who more thoroughly un< ers- in is tl c great responsibility of such a posiu>n, or the call for that personal upervisior: and bringing into closer touch the Old Land and her possessions. Mrs. Ainerj is a Canadian with. a broad outlook,. and is heart and soul in the call ct 11? igr“tion, but with a heart full of sympathy for those who leave their cwn home and come out to a new land -J am, etc., DE CAgTKO> Wellington- October L