EMPIRE'S VACANT LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19512, 16 December 1926, Page 16

EMPIRE'S VACANT LAND.

THE MIGRATION QUESTION; SALVATION ARMY'S EFFORTS, COMMISSIONER LAMB'S REPORT, [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] LONDON, Nov, 4, "So far as the British Empire is concerned! it seems to be important to member that if, notwithstanding our needs, the genius of *he British people should fail to fill tho vacant spaces witliin the Empire with people of British stock, wis cannot deny the rights of other nations to go in and possess the land. I ceitainly do feel that folly reaches a kind of zenith in the failure to bring together ths hungry, idle, homeless people and ths verdant lands waiting lor their labour." These statements are made by General Booth in a foreword to " Our Heritage the Empire," a report by Commissioner D. C. Lamb, director oi' the migration and settlement work of the Salvation Army, oa his 52,000 miles tour in the Overseas Dominions with regard to the migration made in 1925-26. Commissioner Lamb urges the imperative need for a new effort on independent lines, and says:—"One object of my tour was to find out what openings there would be in the overseas Dominions for partly-trained married men. between the ages of 2io and 40 with families- This scheme you (General Booth) provisionally approved before I left London content plated taking men whose careers had been deflected by the war and post-war conditions, and by intensive* training in -agriculture teaching them to tnilk and to plough. I am confirmed in the possibility of quickly equipping, these men for useful and productive! work overseas. Hundreds of such families could be absorbed under existing Government schemes, As to,boys, the Commissioner writes:— "There is abundant evidence in all parts of the Empire of an almost insatiable demand for such boys as we have beea sending out. They can be quickly absorbed by thousands. They are welcome, because they are adaptable; tliey fit readily into the economic and social life overseas, arid they carry with them a breath, of the Homeland-" The Woman's Bart. "The authorities everywhere spoke ia high terras of the class ot" letilerg sent out by the Army,," says Commissioner Lamb. "The many thousands who have gone to new lands ha.ve established for themselves a, reputation for character ami ability which is gratifying to all con,* cerned. Increasingly are thoy making good in the Dominions, and their inflonce on intending emigrants is as beneficial as their advice is sound. Particularly did. we find a strong call for women in all the overseas Dominions to take their share in the mailagement and eventually in the establishment of homes.. People went so far i% to writo pointing out the wisdom of urging the migration and settlement of suitable women equally with men, and there is everything to be said for their advice. "Wo met at reunion meetings many women, young and old, who had emigrated through the Army, and we were especially gratified, with their obvious 'happiness, healthy appearance and prosperous 1 circumstances. It was a regeneration in'itself to witness. the very evident progress most of these women had made compared to what might hiivo been ponsible in present-day circumstances had they remained in the Homeland. The absence of the right type of woman in the overseas Dominions, if allowed to persist, will react adversely against migration generally, for the lack of home illfiuences, a potent factor in all settlement problems, will ultimately lead to discontent and loss of incentive." The commissioner thinks that probably the most fruitful of. the meetings in New Zealand will, be those held with tho chambers of commerce, rotary clubs and agricultural societies, whose numbers took tjbe keenest interest in what ho had to say a,bou:fc social and economic conditions ir» the Homeland and their relation to the development of New Zealand. "On the other hand, the value of the public gatherings must be considerable. Here wis dealt faithfully with what appeared to he tho indifference of the people in thu Dominion, havhig ispeciaf reference to tho claims of the workless in the Homeland. New Zealand is ready, I believe, to consider ' schemes of development "designed tp call for an increased number of iaunigrants from Home,, but much remains to he done. The Tie thai Binds. "Right, through our travels, especially in New ilea land ;aiid Australia, we were touch impressed by the earnest and affectionate way the settlers in these lands referred to the Old Country as 'Home, 1 ' The children and the children's children a,re growing up to regard it. in the «ara«i way, whatever the further generation* may do. "Emigration is not at panacea for unemployment, but it meets ifchi! dual test, of labour absorption and creative value. Wisely directed, it affords new opportunities to those who aire workless ;und creates new markets for ithose who, in future, must manufacture for exchange."