King Country Chronicle Saturday, May 23, 1925. EMPIRE SETTLEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2118, 23 May 1925, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, May 23, 1925. EMPIRE SETTLEMENT.

It is generally recognised that Mr J. H. Thomas, who was Secretary for the Colonies in the MacDonald Government was well fitted for the position lie then occupied'. He was never an extremist, because he faced economic facts, and earned the respect of his political opponents for the able way he handled his department during his brief term of office. Mr Thomas’ experience when he was a member of the Cabinet has made him realise the requirements of the Empire, both in the Mother Country and in the Dominions and his appeal for a more progressive policy in settling the outposts of the Empire will have the approval of thinking people. Under the Empire Settlement Aot the Imperial Government is willing to spend £3,000,000 a year in helping to populate the Dominions. These amounts have been available since 1922, bitt so far only one-sixth of the money offered has been expended. This would go to prove thaffc the Dominions are apathetic in the matter. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are badly in need of larger populations, and in view of the generous offer made, it is hard to understand why advantage is not /taken to develop these Dominions, and at the same time ensure tlieir safety for the future. Speaking in regard to Australia, Mr Thomas stated that five or six millions cannort hope to hold the country, and the success of a White Australia policy depends on a large population. He might well have included New Zealand in this connection, for whatever external dangers exist for Australia must also be applicable to this country.

It migli|t be said that New Zealand lias developed at a faster rate than any of the Dominions. Huge sums have been spent on reading, hydroelectrical development, and in many other directions, yet it cannot bo said that our popiula/tion has increased at the same ratio. 'J?he Dominion has vast tracts of land that require to be setled to make them productive. The public works thajb have been undertaken will be beneficial to new fcomers tol the country. Conditions and opportunities for settlers from Britain have very much improved the last two decades, provided jthey can adapt themselves to the new conditions and are willing to work. There are other reasons, besides the development of the overseas Dominions, why migration is so necessary, chief amongst them being the state of trade in Britain, which has a. greater population than she can support. Britain is now passing through the greatest industrial trial she has ever been called upon to face, and conditions are likely to become worse before there is any improvement. Foreign, competition is throttling Home industries, and the greatest sufferers are the working classes. In the Dominions are possibilities which can open up new avenues of industry. By developing these with British stock it will help to strengthen the Empire, will give relief to the thousands of unemployed in Britain, and safeguard the Dominions from future aggression.