Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1927. BRITISH MIGRANTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 November 1927, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1927. BRITISH MIGRANTS

JN these days, when criticism, not altogether groundless, is made of the lack of gratitude shown by the nation for services rendered, it is gratifying io reflect on the success of what is popularly formed the Flock House scheme. Us inception was cause for pride by Now Zealanders, and its seven years’ working gjvos further reason for national commendation. Officially known as the New Zealand Sheepfarmers’ Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen, this title describes the fund’s purpose, and few “war-memorials” have been more warranted, or more worthily carried out. Gratitude and patriotism have been cleverly combined, and the good work should continue for many years yet.

Migration from the Homeland to the overseas portions of the Empire is now a problem being seriously: tackled, and Flock House

can claim to be doing its share in arriving at a happy solution. Cash grants to the dependents of seamen killed during the war, and to those sailors disabled on similar duty already total over £54,000, whilst 400 children of the dead and disabled men have been settled happily on New Zealand farms. It is stated that none of the boys brought from Home has drifted to the cities, and that the cash actually saved by the youthful migrants is considerably over £lO,OOO. The Government shows its appreciation of the noble work for the Empire in general and New Zealand in particular by compelling the Eund to pay £l7OO as land tax, and income tax £35,000.

Obviously, those managing Flock House are on the right track, and the chairman was justified in urging the Government to model its migration policy on similar lines. The newcomers arc brought here at the right ages, and are carefully supervised and trained in farm-work until able to start for themselves. Even then, they are not forgotten, but have advice and assistance available should the need arise. The youngsters come from Homeland towns mainly, and thus have little previous knowledge of farm life or conditions. That they have all made good in the quite novel (to them) surroundings is proof that suitable material is available in the overcrowded Homeland cities, from which to populate the Dominions. These lands, for commercial and defence purposes, must have a greater number of people within their borders, if outside aggression is to be withstood.

Hitherto, New Zealand has been able to attract settlers of British descent, and every effort should be made to adhere to this policy. Australia, slow to fill its vast territory, lias been recently admitting migrants from the European Continent, with not too happy results. Already, it has been found necessary to tighten the requirements before these non-British people will be allowed to land, and trouble has been caused in various centres by these foreigners. Their standards of living and the conditions under which they are willing to work, have caused friction with the Australians of British descent, and a real internal problem is developing. Canada has tried, and found wanting, the plan of inviting all and sundry to come to settle on her territory, and is now arranging to make special efforts to attract Homeland migrants. New Zealand should note these errors of other countries, and determine to adhere to the policy of preference to British people, as well as to British goods.