MIGRATION MATTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19133, 26 September 1925, Page 13

MIGRATION MATTERS.

NEED FOR A FAIR CHANCE.

LORD BURNHAM'S ADVICE.

" LITTLE MORE ORGANISATION."

Lord Burnham, president of the Empire Press Union, speaking at a dinner given by the citizens of Lismore, New South Wales, to the British Press delegates, spoke frankly in regard to the need for helping migrants from Britain to feel at home in this country. "Every speaker to-night," said Lord Burnham, "has given us the challenge to bring out colonists to this North Coast district and help more fully to develop its resources. We are told that 250,000 people are required in this district, but that you do not require the average, but the select—the best that Britain can send from her shores. Are wc justified in urging that people should come out here in such large numbers unless we are convinced that cn this side there has been preparation to make it possible to place men in employment best suited to make the best use of their training ? Recollect that in these days it is not possible to dump people down on shore and tell them to live or starve."

Speaking as a member of the Overseas Settlement Committee of the British Government, Lord Burnham said that what was required was a little more, organisation and a little more fellow citizenship for migrants. He had heard 'with some alarm the Mayor of Coraki speak of a man arid his family having to leave the district because they could not "make a do of it." as lie expressed it., "I would like to see them given a chance to make a do of it," declared Lord Burnham. "Organisation in the form of an After Care Committee, in whose just judgment we would have confidence, is required. Be not quick to condemn the failings of those who have been bred in towns of the old country if they do not at once answer to your requirements. They are mostly worth while taking a little trouble about. I have been compelled to say this not because I want- to throw stones, but I want to enlist co-operation. "I have paid but little heed to the statement by the Lord Mayor of Sydney that you do not reguire any colonists from the Mother Country for some time. I prefer to accept, on its face value, statements made to-night"that you are crying out for us to send the best we can. (Applause.) I shall not be satisfied that all is right with the colonising of Australia until there is a committee in every centre of population, composed of men and ladies equal, to the. task of seeing, that those who come out shall have a fair chance. If they do you need not be afraid of the future. (Applause.) It is the Australian, as well as the British policy that is on its trial." . • ' ■

Britain had been staggering under the greatest, burden she ever had, said Lord Burnham, and she had stood up manfully to the world that did not love her, and had redeemed her bonds in every .quarter of the world, and had redeemed Australia's credit as well as her own. (Cheers.) "You stand," he said, "to gain by our strength and it is our duty to share that' strength with you."