EMPIRE SPIRIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 10, 9 December 1932, Page 7

EMPIRE SPIRIT.

NOT LACKING TO-DAY. DEBATE ON MIGRATION. LONDON, Dec. 8. A brief debate on migration arose in tho House of Commons yesterday on a motion by Sir Shirloy Benn (C.) urging tho Government to secure the co-operation of tho Dominions in a comprehensive scheme. He thought the time opportune to press tho subject on business lines. Mr A. A. Somerville (C.) seconding the motion, suggested a board of five business men to survey Empire opportunities. He himself favoured chartered companies with Government guarantees. Captain F. E. Guest (C.) advocated mass migration of Empire communities under the supervision of the State until the migrants settled in their new surroundings. The Dominions Secretary, Mr J. 11. Thomas, expressed general agreement with the purpose of the motion. The true Empire spirit was not lacking to-day, he said. There had never been below 50,000 people ready and anxious to go overseas, but the Dominions had the same problem of unemployment ns in Britain. Nothing would he more ridiculous than to send people there at present, but the machinery should bo kept ready. He believed that there were 32 societies engageu in the promotion of emigration. He felt sure that they could effectively work as one organisation. He hoped the day was not far distant when the Dominions would be able to welcome those, anxious to go there.