Population Decline Causes Concern

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 153, 1 July 1938, Page 7

Population Decline Causes Concern

Suggested Foreign Immigrants

BRITAIN’S PROPOSAL TO DOMINIONS United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON. June 29. The British Government’s Overseas Settlement Board’s report expresses alarm at the decline in the Empire's white populations, and suggests that Britain may not be able to supply sufßolent settlers, for which reason it commends the Dominions “additionally to admit a carefully-regulated flow of foreigners of assimilable types, preferably from countries whose inhabitants are of the same stock as ourselves." This is the first time in history that Britain has suggested to the Dominions to absorb foreigners. The report is signed by the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Eric Gustav Machtig, Mr. A. P. Waterfleld, Mr. E. T. Crutchley, Lady Reading, Dr. W. G. S. Adams, Lord Barnby, Mr. George Gibson, and Mr H. J. Mitchell. The report declares that the problem of strengthening the Empire by migration from the United Kingdom to the Dominions is difficult and urgent, and ednnot be envisaged properly In isolation. A wide background of facts, ineluding international aspects, must be taken into account. The problem can only be solved if the Governments and peoples realise the importance to cooperate wholeheartedly for a solution. Jt is only from the viewpoint of strengthening the Empire as a whole that Encouragement of migration from the United Kingdom is Justifiable, contlrtuEs the report. The position of the Dominions, as relatively thinly-popu-lAted areas facing highly competitive world demands, the natural increase in population should be supplemented by immigration. The board urges that this should occur immediately while Britain is still able to supply migrants. It is emphasised that it is a profound misconception to say that migration is a cure for unemployment and depression. On the contrary, it will only harden the Dominions’ attitude and give migration a bdd name. The report says that If the present population trend continues the Empire’s population will become stationary and then diminish rApidly. Oldaged persons will increase, leaving a smaller proportion of active persons to carry on the work. The world does not understand the position, but thinks the Empire has a dog in the manger attitude, whi-h contributes to world insecurity. The report emphasises that a planned policy is essential to produce a regular flow from Britain, and would require that Britain and the Dominions should equitably share the financial burdens of it. Migration cannot be regarded as a matter of bargaining, and should not be directly relatable to the question of Increased markets for the Dominions' produce, nor able to be offset against thf introduction of a given amount of capital. Opportunities for investment of United Kingdom capital in the Dominions mußt result from the Dominion Governments’ policy. The report opposes land settlement senetnes apart from exceptional circumstances, but it approves New Zealand’s, Australia’s and Canada’s social Insurance, and advocates increased Britain - Dominions communications, and exchangO of visits, including organised visits of workers and schoolehflflrm.