EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 January 1926, Page 5

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

NEW SCHEME PROPOSED,

IMPORTANT DEPUTATION.;

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Recd. 1 p.m.) x LONDON, January 24.

The Colonial Institute has memorialised Mr Baldwin asking him to receive a deputation on the subject of the promotion of emigration. Mr Baldwin delegated the matter to Mr Amery, who will receive the deputation on Monday. The memoriaTdeclares that the Overseas Settlement Act is entirely inadequate and a new Act is urgently necessary, firstly, because the stipulation that the overseas Governments must pay equal shares with the Imperial Government of the cost of any approved scheme, though excellent in theory, must break down 5n practice. The small populations of the dominions fijid it impossible to find the money to finance immigration schemes on such a comprehensive scale. Secondly, under the Act, the rate of progress is too slow for effective handling of the migration problem. Thirdly: There should be direct cooperation by means of Imperial representatives overseas similar to the present overseas committees representative of Australia.

Fourthly: There is no doubt a large number of people willing tq migrate but were unable to do so under the present conditions. The memorial proceeds: ‘ ‘lf the overnment agree to bear the whole cost of settlement schemes, it is suggested the conditions of such schemes should provide for the gradual repayment by settlers of the money advanced by the Imperial Government. In the case of immigrants who do not settle on the land, voluntary societies must pledge themselves to secure repayment.”

The memorial urges that repatriation of migrants should not be made too easy. It also urges that there should be ■ a home land settlement scheme, as favourable as in overseas. Lord Stanley and Alderly will introduce the deputation and Mr Christopher Turnove'r will' be the chief exponent of it& ideas. It is understood that Mr Amery will make a most important pronouncement.