OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 8

OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

SPEEDING UP. MIGRATION

DOMINIONS' RESPONSIBILITY.

(MOU OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

_ . LONDON 28th June. Empire Settlement is a subject dealt with at some length in the report on inter-Imperial trade which the Federation of British Industries has presented to the Government. The Federation is in general agreement with the lines which have been followed by the Empire Settlemant Committee. It considers that although as much progress has been made as could reasonably be expected in the initial year of the operation of the fcmpu-e Land Settlement Act, rhe actual result is infinitesimal compared to what, the situation demands. It is obvious that any scheme of settlement depends to a very large extent upon the readiness ot the Dominion to co-operate, ard upon the action which is laken in the Dominions to provide for the varts of prospective settlers and to ensure that they start under favourable a-apices. '■Although some of the Dominions, notably ■ Australia, have shown great activity m considering schemes, ;t i ■ felt th. a*, a more active policy on the part ot the Dominions is essential if the flow of settlers is to be increased. The iederation hopes, therefore that the Economic Conference will result in the Dominions paying special att.-.fion to this problem, and co-operating to the fullest extent possible in schemes, which the passing of the Empire Lsnd Settlement Act has made practicable. Unless the Dominions are prepared to take full advantage of the facilities thus offered and to make adequate arrangements for the reception and supervision of settlers it is doubtful whether any action in this country can substantially increase the readiness of a larger number of persons to proceed overseas. The Federation recommends that special representatives of the Overseas Settlement Office should be stationed in the Dominions with a view to negotiating on the spot with the minimum delay more far-reaching schemes than have at present been put into operation. Although these representatives would have to submit their recommendations for the approval of the Home Government, their appointment would m all probability substantially reduce the delays which now occur, and would tend to facilitate a quicker flow ■ of migration than at present. .J, 1'3 co"fdered that special attention should be directed towards the problem f °lo(* settlement, namely, the offer of facilities for the settlement of a considerable number of families Wether. /The settlement of families, while the most satisfactory type, presents the difficulty that provision must be made flrio t% v ° J he family to earn sufficient to keep his dependants while he is making good, and if it i s desired to make this type of settlement a success means should be provided, whereby temporary financial help could be afforded to families during the earlier part of their-life m the Dominions. The settlement of juveniles under suitable safeguards provides exactly the riant type of settler for the needs of the land. NEED FOB PUBLICITY. Another point to which the Federation direct the attention of the Government is that of publicity. A considerable amount of publicity has already been undertaken in favour of Empire Settlement, but the Federation feels that" a great deal remains to be. done in this respect, and they urge the Government to consider the creation of a joint permanent Committee on publicity representing both the Imperial Government and the Governments of the IJomimons with a view to • makinc known to intending or likely settler! the advantages of life in the Dominions, and also with a view to removing certain misconceptions which exist especially in the minds of labour, as to the advantages of Empire Settlement. One branch of publicity which should be fruitful of results is that provided by the cinema, and the Federation suggests that this should be ons of the first subjects which should be taken in hand by any committee which is set up. The Federation places on record that they would be in favour of supporting the grant, if necessary, of further financial facilities on the part of His Majesty's Government, against a similar further contribution by the Dominion, provided that experience shows that the operations under the Empire Land Settlement Act are satisfactory to all concerned, and provided that such further financial facilities would substantially increase the volume of emigration to the Empire. It considers that His Majesty's Government would be justified if necessary in raising a loan for such a purpose, in as much as the expenditure would be productive in the truest sense of the word.