MIGRATION PROBLEMS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 August 1928, Page 11

MIGRATION PROBLEMS

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS.

INCREASE IN ALIENS. SERIOUS FEATURE STRESSED'. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received 1-2.30 p.m. to-day. LONDON, Aug. 14. The Farmers’ HPmpi re conference was continued to-day, Sir Thomas MaoTvenaie presiding. A discussion took place on the development of grasslands in the- Empire. It was -said that 42G millions worth of products of the world’s grasslands were imported annually by Great Britain. They were- mostly of foreign origin but part could -be produced within the Eimpire if Britain offered preferential markets-. " With reference to migration the Dominions were prepared to say: ‘ ‘Give us your markets and we will take your surplus population.” Sir Thomas MacKenzie propo-sed and Messrs Yelan-d and Vernon (Victoria) supported the formation of a national union in Australia and New Zealand in co-ordination with the British National Union. , Mr Yell and said that the farmers tour had dispelled any misgivings as to the character, capacity and -status of Britons as compared with Continentals. Mr R. J. Hannon, -a member of the House of Commons, said that a serious feature of the migration problem was the increase of aliens entering the Dominions as compared with _ Britisher®. In the last four years British migration to Australia had- increased by twelve per cent., “while the- influx of aliien-si had doubled. Mr Yell and s aid that the whole problem was whether suitable country erni>! ovoc-s could be obtained from “the cities, because English farmers could spare none. „ , . Air Vaile (New Zealand) said that citv wages were responsible for men leaving the land. Until the present false standard of living w;as changed New Zealand- could not absorb more migrants. . . , , The conference approved of the tour of British farmers in Australia and New Zealand at the end of 1929, following the formation of national unions in Australia.' and New Zealand with whom would rest the initiative.