IMPERIAL MIGRATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 February 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL MIGRATION.

FARES TO AUSTRALIA.

AN OFFER REFUSED. A REPLY TO CRITICISM. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. (Received Feb. IS, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. ' The Imperial migration authorities welcome the apparently changed attitude towards cheapened migration indicated by Mr S. M. Bruce’s pronouncement', also by the Australian press comments. Referring to the press comparisons between Australian and New Zealand migration fares, the authorities point out that the Australian Government turned down the Overseas Settlement Committee’s offer to increase its contributions for the purpose of approximating Australian to New Zealand fares, under which more favourable passages were granted, not only to youths and girls, but also to single men. Notwithstanding this repulse, the committee. when submitting its 1925-26 estimates, included £IOO,OOO towards cheaper passages, subject to Australia participating. The British Treasury turned down the proposal, partly because the Economy Committee insisted on the grounds of retrenchment, on postponing the proposal to next year. It is authoritatively learned that the Imperial authorities would welcome Australian co-operation, in reduced fares, but in view of the Economy Committee’s attitude, they are unable to make the overtures themselves. —A. and N.Z. Assn.