WHITE PEOPLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23078, 1 July 1938, Page 11

WHITE PEOPLE

empire COUNTRIES alarm at decline POPULATION' PEOBIEM advice to dominions FOREIGN IMMIGRANTS Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright LONDON. Jll no 2!) The report of the British Government's Oversea Settlement Board expresses alarm at the decline in the Empire's white populations, and suggests that Britain may not be ■ able to supply sufficient settlers. The report suggests that the Dominions should "additionally admit, a carefully regulated flow of | foreigners of assimilable types, preferably from countries whose inhabitants are of the same stock as ourselves." . i This is the first, time in the histor\ j of Britain that she has suggested that , the Dominions should absorb foreigners j The report is signed l>v the Dnko of J Devonshire; Mr. E. G. Mnrhtig, vice- j chairman .of the Oversea Settlement ; Committee; Mr. A. P. Waterfie d. j principal Assistant Secretary to the I Treasury; -Mr. E. T. Crutchley. a mem- ■ her of the Oversea Settlement Board; j the Dowager Marchioness of Beading, a member of the board; Professor AY. G. S. Adams, warden of All Souls ColOxford, and a member of the board; and Lord Barnby. Strengthening the Empire The report says the problem of strengthening the Empire by migration from the United Kingdom to the Dominions is difficult and urgent, and it cannot properly be considered in isolation. A wide background of facts, including international aspects, must be taken into account. The problem can be solved only if the Governments and 1 peoples realise its importance, and cooperate wholeheartedly for its solution. It is only from the point of view of strengthening the Empire as a whole that encouragement of migration from the United Kingdom is justifiable. The position of the Dominions, as relatively ihinly populated areas facing a highly competitive world, demands that the natural increase in population should be supplemented by immigration. Position not Recognised by World The board urges that this should occur immediately, while Britain is still able to supply migrants. It is emphasised that /it is a profound misconception to say that migration is a cure for unemployment and depression. On the., contrary, this will only harden the - Dominions' dttitude and give migration a bad name. If the present population trend continues the Empire's population will become- stationary, and then diminish rapidly. Those in the old age brackets will increase, leaving a smaller proportion of "actives" to carry on the work. The world does not understand the position, and thinks the Empire has taken up a dog-in-the-manger attitude, which contributes to world insecurity. Planned Policy Essential The report emphasises that a planned policy is essential to produce a regular flow from Britain, and requiring Britain and the Dominions equitably to share the financial burdens. Migration/cannot be regarded as a - matter of bargaining and should not be directly relatable to the question of increased markets for the Dominions' produce, nor as an offset against the introduction of a given amount of capital. Opportunities for investment of United Kingdom capital in the Dominions must result if the Dominion Governments adopt this policy. The report, opposes land settlement schemes, apart from exceptional circumstances. It approves New Zealand's, Australia's and Canada's social insurance plans,' and advocates increased _ communications between Britain and the Dominions by exchanges of visits, including organised visits of workers and schoolchildren.

FAIRBRIDGE SCHOOLS PEER'S LARGE DONATION LONDON, June 29 At the annual meeting of the Fairbridge Farm SchooliSociety, Lord Willlngdon said a scheme on a big scale was necessary to encourage migration, but the Government could not finance it because of the cost of rearmament. He announced that Lord Kenilworth had donated £35,000 and had promised a further £60,000, spread over 10 years.