The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1921.

Evening Star, Issue 17597, 28 February 1921, Page 4

The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1921.

E.vglish papers now to hand show that Mr Lloyd George's sugImmigration. gestion made some weeks ago, that unemployment in Great Britain might be eased by immigration, was not regarded as a very practicable one. Apart from other aspects of the question, it would be no use sending unemployed to swell the ranks of other unemployed across the sea, and Now Zealand is about the only country in the world juct now in which unemployment is not a problem. The condition is worse, perhaps, in the United States than in the Old Country. It is bad enough for anxiety to bo caused by it in Australia and Canada. All the immigrants New Zealand can take would not make much difference to Great Britain; and tliis country must be careful not to go too fast, lest the fortunate condition of work for all its people which it almost alone enjoys at the present time should bo imperilled. It would seem that very real care has been exercised for tho .averting of that danger. When Mr Lloyd George made his statement about nine thousand ex-service men had applied to be allowed to como to this country at the expense of the Imperial Government. The claims and capabilities of each man, according to an article in ‘The Times,’ were very thoroughly scrutinised, and from ono cause and another only two thousand had obtained passages—loss than half the number who it had been thought would bo settled by that time in tins Dominion. Prompted by the British Premier’s remarks, a statement was made by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Allen, which shows how he is dealing with tho question. There were still plenty of opportunities in this country, he pointed out, for willing and capable immigrants. Miners and agricultural laborer's were especially needed, and tbtV was always a demand for domestic servants. In addition to settlement on the land, there were some big road-making and bridge-making schemes in operation, and there was ample work for all. Wc do not know why Sir James mentioned settlement on the land. They will he lucky immigrants who get there, except in tho capacity of farm workers and employees ■under the Government, for a number of years to come. The High Commissioner was on firm ground, however, when ho stated that New Zealand was in a “very much more fortunate state than any of the other Dominions ” in its freedom from unemployment, and in his warning that that happy position could not be prejudiced. “New Zealand,” he said, “was still welcoming immigrants; but, even if passages could be found for all, they did not relish the prospect of a sudden wave of immigrants suck as might bo expected to follow the Prime Minister’s suggestion. Immigrants had to be absorbed in small numbers as they arrived, and a great rush would do neither the .immigrants nor New Zealand any great good.” For a beginning, at least, it would only do them evil. The High Commissioner evidently is kept well informed of tho needs and conditions of this country.