MIGRATION TO AFRICA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6542, 25 February 1928, Page 10

MIGRATION TO AFRICA

‘ INCREASE IN POPULATION. CAPETOWN, Jan. 6. Some uneasinos has been caused in the South African Union lately by a statement that Rhodesia is receiving a steady flow of 200 settlers a month, while the Union is getting 'only a neligible number —and then losing half of them. Part of this pessimism however, should be dispelled by the report of the Director of Census, Dr. Holloway, which shows a net gain in tho Union in migration figures for 1926 of 6700 arrivals over departures. Migrants of origin were in the majority, arid represented 62 per cent, of the permanent arrivals and 91 per cent of the permanent departures. Of the latter, 53 per cent, were born in South Africa. In 1934, restrictions on the admission of certain classes of non-British immigrants were reduced, and since that date the proportion of permanent arrivals from southern and Eastern Europe has increased considerably, the majority of them being Lithuanians, who represented about 60 per cent of the total. Up to the end of 1927 tho European population of the Union was estimated at 1,719,160, and in the middle of 1926 tho natives were estimated to number 5,115,000. The past year has shown a remarkable increase in the number of Indians who have availed themselves of tho Government’s offer of repatriation. The total number of people repatriated in 1927 was 2986, against 2100 in the previous year, and 1358 in 1925. Whereas in 1925 only one boat every three months was necessary to deal with tho applicants for return to India, one boat is filled every month now. It is stated by the Protector of Indian Immigration at Durban, that tho number will probably bo greater still next year judging by the increasing number "of applications. Although tho Union may comfort Itself that there is no falling off in the number of suitable immigrants, there is without doubt some grave cause for concern over the number of South Africans who are leaving the Union for Rhodesia.

Last October, for instance, although 571 Europeans arrived in the Union from overseas, 250 went to take up their permanent domicile in Rhodesia, 85 in South West Africa, 22 to Konya and 10 to other territories. This question of immigration will probably form the subject of a debate inParliament. Further expression of the hope that the Northern and Southern Rhodesians will one day link their destinies to one another was made by the Premier of Southern Rhodesia, Mr H. N. Moffat, in a New Year message to the country. He urged the people 'not to forget their responsibilities and the importance of the position in regard to the influence of the rest of Africa, South and Central. He said ho hoped that this year the first steps will bo taken “in the matter of the union of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, which, even if delayed, is, I am sure, bound to come. “When Cecil Rhodes spoke of tho dominant North he must have contemplated one united Rhodesia, and his dreams will find expression at the next session of Parliament. We will also consider, and. I hope, lay down what I regard as tho future native policy, the most important question, which all South Africa has to deal with,’’