PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1914, Page 3

PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT

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THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION. DOMINION COMMISSIONS' REPORT. r I>SU PRKaS VSauUATtON-- COPTBIOHT. 1 LONDON, January 28. The Dominion Commissioners' report states that they found a desire among all classes to deal with the British Empire rather than with foreign nations. This Was not only the case in the shape of tariff preference, but a clear and distinct preference based on the sentiment of patriotism. Discussing migration the report ?ays that labour-saving machinery is mu-di more used in agriculture in Australia s.ncl New Zealand than in Europe.

Comparisons show that the propo.C.n oi population engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits is,smaller in the ' J,-led States and many European countries, I In; town population is excessive. Since the .Mother Country is already dependent upon the overseas for a considerable proportion of food and raw material, the commission is impressed with the desirability of as large a portion as possible of the dominions being occupied by a population which will assist in the development of the primary resources. 'J he best ago. *or emigrants is from 16 to 24. Australia's and New Zealand's requirements are largely fulfilled by well-disposed youths whom the environment of the United Kingdom has forced into a. blind alley for employments, and youths from the industrial schools.

The commission did not find evidence that only those who followed agriculture in the (ild Country can become successful agriculturists in the new. There is a strong undercurrent of opposition in Australia and New Zealand to immigration, principally among the urban wage-earners and artisans, who regard immigration as likely to increase competition in the skilled labour market. The commission believes that the hostility arises mainly from the present defects of the immigration system. The possibility of making greater British labour exchanges deserves close attention, particularly in connection with juvenile migra

The Commission recommends greater cooperation between the Home, and the Australasian Governments regarding _ the -nigratioh of discharged Indian soldiers, many of whom arc willing to go to Aus trulia and New Zealand, but find difficulty though already accustomed to a climate more trying than Northern Australia. The saving by direct migration would iliow of considerable financial assistance being given to such emigrants. I he commission is favourably impress d with the German settlements in Queensland and South Australia, and the Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian farmers in Victoria. Regarding the Suez Canal the commission is impressed with the canal's capacity to deal, without undue delay, with 15,000 ships against the present 6000, provided that certain traffic regulations are observed. They are also impressed with the canal's increasing ability to take vessels of deeper draught, which will shortly be 30ft, but they are doubtful- whether this will be sufficient to provide the necssary quick ocean service to Australia. The fact that the Panama -Canal gives a depth of 40ft will accelerate the already rapid increase in size and draught of ocean carriers. It is doubtful whether the authorities of the Australian and New Zealand harbours are properly alive to the quick increase of draught which is in prospect. They cannot urge too strongly on the governing bodies of the ports that they should devote earnest consideration to the problem of deepening the harbours. The continuance of the quasi mail monopoly for a long period will prove prejudicial to the development of shipping, as it removes a great incentive to the construction of faster ships. No mail contract is satisfactory which does not provide for sea speed considerably in excess of that of the unsubsidised lines. The report draws attention to the possibility of amending the United Kingdom law in order to bring it into line with the Australian Sea Carriage Act of 1904. Discussing female emigration the. report states that the surplus in Britain is mainly in the residential towns and consists principally of elderly ladies. Servants can ill be spared, as the ranks of female domestics have been depleted by the demands of commerce and industry in the United Kingdom. Dealing with the difficulty of family migration the commissioners sta.te that parents are often too old to settle comfortably. Family migration will entail considerable public expense before an ideal system is reached. , In the commissioners' opinion it is undesirable to leave the duty 'of describing the attractions of the dominions to interested passage agents. | Regarding cable communication, it urges that "week-end messages be telegraphed, j and the use of registered addresses allowed. It is of the opinion that the development of a (•heap cable service is a potent factor in Empire consolidation. The present cable rates to Australia are too high, and practically restrict the tire of cables to the commercial classes and check free intercourse between Britain and the dominions. Drastic reforms are needed. The rerjort denies that experience has shown that cotton can only be successfully crown by black labour. On the contrary. 75 per cent, of the labour in Texas is ! white. It is possible that the Maltese will j furnish just the type of labour required for ( cotton-growing in Australia. There is, evidence that the quality of Australian cotton is such as to justify the expectation that a higher price could be secured than for most cotton. While admitting that hides are damaged by branding the natural remedy is to differentiate in price between hides branded .as tanners suggest and those branded as now. The report urges uniformity in legislation and regulations regarding I'oorl and drugs. Australasia's agricultural, mineral, and forestry resources will be treated in the final report; also inquiries for better facilities for handling meat and fruit whereupon investigation is proceeding. The commission is making further inquiries as to inter-Imperial Exhibitions, and the desirability of an Imperial Development Board. I