FLOW OF EMIGRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 7

FLOW OF EMIGRATION.

AN EMPIRE PROBLEM.

POST-WAR POSSIBILITIES.

A great flow of emigration to the overseas Dominions after the war is anticipated by Sir Joseph Ward. Speaking on the subject on Saturday the Minister said he fully recognised that a period of reconstruction in tho Motherland would be absolutely necessary, and that the retention of her manhood would be of the first importance to her. Sir Joseph said he felt sure, that overseas countries did not desire to do anything to withdraw portions of the manhood from Britain, and their duty was to consider the needs and requirements in this respect of the Homeland, as well as what was necessary to themselves. There was, however, a strong aversion on the part of many men now at the front, who were previously at indoor occupations, to return to that life. They wanted an outdoor life. If, as in all probability would be tho case, many of them wished on their own account to emigrate, a systematio effort should bo made to keep them within the British Empire. It should bo recognised that although it might inconvenience for a time, the part of Empire which lost a man who went to another part, he would still continue to be a source of strength and wealth to the Empire as a whole. Though it was unlikely— this war lasted until the enemy was beaten in the field—that there would be another such war, for, he hoped, generations to come, yet in such an unhappy contingency the greater manpower we had within the Empire the better for us all. It would be the duty of the Government, as well a* of the shipping companies, to co-operate in directing and assisting those who looked for fresh land, and to leave nothing undone to direct the necessary movement of population within the British Empire. It would make for the future strength, greatness and solidarity of the Empire.