EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 4 May 1925, Page 14

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

SCHEME FOR PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE

.GARDEN. COLONIES.

.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) .LONDON, 10th March.

An influential committee has been set up to further the scheme known as the Empire Community Settlement. The movement, originated by Sir Rowland Bourne (late Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Union of South Africa) is designed to facilitate the settlement in suitable places within the Empire of British people of the retired professional classes and their families. The scheme is framed primarily for retired officers and Civil servants who find it increasingly difficult, with their comparatively small pensions, to maintain m England the standard of life to which they have been accustomed. The method proposed is that of settlement in communities of from fifty to seventy-fivo households, in the first place by a temporary settlement on club lines,-with a garden lot of two acres, and an option to acquire a permanent settlement of from one to five acres. These garden settlements will 'bo on specially selected sites—probably South Africa will be chosen for a first experiment. They will consist of a club-house, with all facilities for indoor and outdoor recreation, and' where meals can be obtained, and a number of "rondavels"—circular thatched huts containing two rooms, very cool and pleasant, which can be put up plainly furnished, and rented profitably for less than £1 a month—in which the settlers and their families will live. Each settler will take a five years' lease in the club. He can gain experience on his plot in the cutlivation of trees and crops under expert advice. The expenses, including those of education for the children, have been carefully worked out, so .that they can. all be met out of income. Within five years tho settler -will know if he is attracted to farming life. If so, he will be given facilities for obtaining a homestead and plot from one to five acres, still out of income, and can still retain his membership of the club. If not, he can retire from the scheme then, or earlier, if another settler is available to take up his lease. MEETINGS ON THE RIVIERA. During the past three months (said Sir R. Bourne, in an interview on the subjest) many meetings of British residents and visitors have been held at towns on the Italian and French Rivieras by Mr. Percival-Witherby to explain the aim of the community settlement plan. Other localities will be visited by him for this jrarpose. Wo believe that thousands of people of the professional class would welcome the. opportunity of establishing themselves, on British soil in the company of others of their own tastes and outlook. Therer-they would be able to supplement their present means in congenial occupations, such as poultry—or fruit—farming, while their children would grow up under the healthier conditions of life in the Dominions, where excellent educational facilities are generally available.

Each member of the committee is representative of some particular service, profession, or organisation likely to be interested in a practical scheme of settlement for British families of the retired professional classes. For instance, Lord Meston represents the Indian Services, Civil and Military • Admiral Henry Campbell, tho Royal Navy; General Sir John Maxwell, the Army; Air ViceMarshal Sir V. Vyvyau, the Air Force ; Lady Frances Byder (private organisation for hospitality to overseas visitors). Others represent the legal profession, commerce, mercantile marine, V.M.C.A. educational institutions, and co on.