THE KING EDWARD’S LEAGUE.

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 8

THE KING EDWARD’S LEAGUE.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —The minds of his late Majesty’s subjects are much exercised at the present time as to how best to commemorate his life and reign. The most pressing need in the Dominion is population, to share the national expenses, to take their part in defence, and to enable the country' to bo further opened up and developed without loss. The most pressing need at Home is to find an outlet for our surplus population, but the Imperialism of practically all the people of England is confined to talking. When they arc asked for money they retire within their shells until the damage to their purses is past. His late Majesty, while yet Prince of Wales, said: The Oversea Dominions of the Crown offer happy and prosperous homes to thousands who are unable to gain a livelihood within the narrow limits of these (British) islands, owing lo the overpopulation and consequent over-competi-tion. We regard the colonies as integral parts of the Empire, and our warmest sympathies are with our brethren beyond the seas, who are no less dear to us than if they dwelt in Surrey and Kent His present Majesty, King George V., has suggested that memorials to Edward the Peacemaker should bo for the good of the people and local in nature. For all reasons, therefore, a movement that would forgo another bond of Empire—the bond of labor—would be the best memorial to His Majesty—one after his own heart, and one that would do good to the peoples of the British Isles of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, A league to co-operato with the Dominion Government in assisting approved immigrants from [loverly and starvation at Home to prosperity and happiness in Now Zealand would be of lasting benefit to all concerned by improving the conditions of labor and defence, and by making new roads and other developments remunerative which would bo impossible without more settlers. It is useless to expect to get the best types of settlers or workers through the distress committees, which are the only Home department who emigrate. They prefer to tackle married men, whereas emigrants do best if they go out single, then settle down and marry. They would “ strangle a casual worker with red tape,” so pno high official of such committee told me, and give the preference to a man who- has been in one job, and has a sound surety, and do not at present deal with cases under eighteen years -old, refardless of the- fact that a lad who had eeu engaged in various trades, and who is, perhaps,-, sixteen or seventeen, and a good' worker, but .knows no surety, may make a better colonist than a highly respectable bricklayer of twenty-one, whose relatives guarantee his refunding any loans. The rougher and harder a young fellow has been brought up the better he settles on the land of the Empire, The best class of laborer consists of those who prove their anxiety to emigrate by being ready to leave some present work to seek fresh op-, portunities overseas; but a wobker must bo unemployed before he will be assisted by Home funds. Such a league, if properly should tend to-raisa.wages,. as has. proved 1

to be the case in New South Wales, where the immigrants last, year numbered over 60 per cent, of the whole Commonwealth pnd wages rose considerably. If local centres are formed in each land district of New Zealand, the subscriptions raised locally can bo used in that district and the money advanced to the emigrant can be collected in the vicinity. The British people do not require charity, they only want to bo helped to help themselves. Training farms for lads would be a great advantage if funds permitted. The matter seems worthy of consideration, and as all the British people are one Empire, let it not be said by them that come after that tho people needed to be placed in work, and a carven image was preferred in New Zealand, while the poor workers starved at Home. Rather let our posterity cry “ Blessed arc they that helped our fathers to come to the lands of plenty from poverty, sweating, low wages, and starvation at. Home. Their work's have made them blessed.”—l am, etc.,' T. E. Skdgwick. London, September 20.