ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19280, 19 March 1926, Page 10

ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS.

The report on migration and social insurance presented to the House of Commons rightly emphasises the intimate inter-relation of these two activities and the desirability- of closer co-ordination of pension schemes throughout the Empire. It takes too circumscribed a view, however, of the problem in two respects, that of the physical standards required by the Dominions and that of the transfer abroad of social insurance claims. In these respects the interests of the oversea territories should not be sacrificed. No scheme of migration can be regarded as satisfactory that does not safeguard those interests, whatever may be the gain to the Homeland in lightening its unemployment burden. This Dominion, for instance, cannot reasonably be asked to lower its standard in either the physical fitness or age of those given assisted passages. Indeed, there is justification for a plea that greater rigour should be exercised in controlling assisted immigration' in both respects. Young and vigorous colonists are needed. The age limit of fifty might with advantage be reduced to forty, and the tests of physique be such as to preclude the entry, on assisted passages, of any not thoroughly capable. There should be thorough discussion of these British recommendations before they are accepted by the overseas Governments.