EMPIRE SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 245, 31 January 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT.

LONDON CONFERENCE OPENS,

(By Electric Telegraph.—Oopynght.) Received January 31. 8 a.m, LONDON, Jan. 28. Lord Milner presided at tho Empire Settlement Conference. Sir Janice Allen represented Now Zealand, Senator Millen ■ Australia, and Sir George Perley Canada. The Imperial Treasury was also represented. South Africa was not represented and tho Agents-Gcneral of tho Australian states and the Canadian provinces did not participate, leaving the representation to the Dominions. Lord Milner explained that tho conference related to tho State-aided Empire settlement emigration, which was a wrong term o use in this connection. The proposals related to tho transhipment of British population within the confines of the Empire and had no relation to emigration which strictly ,nterprcted meant losing Empire population to foreign countries. It was suggested that this was a matter calling for the coop?ration of the whole of the Empire Governments. Sir James Allen agreed, but deprecated spasmodic migration. He advocated regularised continuity. Senator Millen elaborated a scheme under which the British and Australian Governments would co-operate in the provision of finances in tho shape of a loan whereby selected areas of Crown lands could bo developed by means of railways, roads, bridges, water supply and other works, whereon tho settlers would bc_ employed contemporaneously with the clearing, tilling and cropping of lands. Lord Milner pointed out that the greater part of suitable lands were already freehold and to resume, possession of them would ba costly, whereas suitable Crown lands wera inaccessible, hence the necessity of railways and other amenities accompanying a settlement. He suggested the Burnett River. Queensland, as a suitable district to inaugurate tho scheme. _ .... , The Treasury representative replied m tho negative, pending fuller details. Senator Milieu undertook to formulate proposals. Subsequently Sir George Perley said that Canada was sympathetic towards Empire Settlement, but preferred to adopt a waiting attitude for the present. Tho conference has adjourned till Monday,