EMPIRE PEOPLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23012, 13 April 1938, Page 17

EMPIRE PEOPLES

MIGKATION QUESTION GREAT BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE TRADE WITH DOMINIONS The readiness of Great Britain to cooperate with the Dominions in restarting Empire migration was indicated by Sir Geoffrey Whiskard, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Australia, who arrived by the Awatea yesterday on a holiday visit to New Zealand. Although the population of Great Britain might become stationary, it might be felt in England that there was still room for the redistribution of the white population within the Empire. The British Government would be equally prepared to co-operate with New Zealand just as it was already cooperating with Australia, Sir Geoffrey said. In the present circumstances, however, immigration could not be of the same dimensions as it was between ten and 15 years ago. Furthermore, some of the particular forms of assisted migration which were then adopted would not be suitable to-day. There had recently been an agreement between Australia and Britain under which assisted passages were to be granted to migrants of specific categories. If, and only if, the New Zealand Government desired to enter into a similar agreement, the British Government would be quite willing to do so. The old jealousy about the growth of secondary industries in the Dominions was not very evident in England to-day, said Sir Geoffrey, in discussing Empire trade. Any move by a sectional and probably unrepresentative interest in England, such as the boot operatives who recently threatened to boycott New Zealand goods because of the protection afforded by New Zealand to her own industries, would be met, he thought, by sharp condemnation, not only by the British Government, but also by the industries concerned and the general public. The British market for Dominion goods would continue to grow, although at a slow rate. Sir Geoffrey, who is accompanied by his daughter, Miss Mary Whiskard, will make a brief stay in New Zealand

prior to going to England to spend several months' leave. In 1927-28 he acted- as chief of staff to the Secretary of State for the Dominions, the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amgrv, when the latter made a tour of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Sir Geoffrey was assistant Under-Secretary of State at the Dominions Office from 1930 to 1935, and was appointed to his present office in 1936.