EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10812, 31 January 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

PROPOSALS DISCUSSED IMPORTANT CONFERENCE IN LONDON . BIG AUSTRALIAN SCHEME. Bv Telegraph—Press Assb.—Copyright uturallan and N.Z. Cable* lan. (Received January 20. 5.-5 p.m.) LONDON, January Z.S. Lord Milner preside! ovtjT the Empire Settlement CVmferen«-e- St-ruKor Millen represented Australia. Sir Jazr.os Allen New Zealand, and Mr IVrky Canada. The Imperial Treasury was also represented. South Afrk/a \vn< nor- v represented. The Agents-General of the Australian wStates and Oansdnn provinces are not- participatin'!. l**a representation to the Dominion^. Lord Milner explained that the conference related to estate-aided Empire settlement. Emigration was the wrong term to use in this connection. The proposals embraced the evgend_i recently cabled and related to the transhipment of the British population within the confines of the Empire. They had no relation to emigration, which strictly interpreted, meant losing *he Empire population to foreign countries. 4 He suggested, that this matter was culling for the co-operation of the whole of the Empire Governments. Sir James Allen agreed, but deprecated spasmodic emigration, and advocated regular continuity. Senator Millen elaborated a scheme under which the British and Australian Governments will co-operate in the provision of finances in the shape of a loan whereby selected areas of Crown lands would be developed by means of railways, roads, bridges, water supply and other works, on which settlers would be employed contemporaneously clearing, tilling and cropping the lands. He pointed out that the greater part of the suitable lands were freehold, involving oastiy resumption, whereas suitable Crown lands were inaccessible; hence the necessity of railways* afld other amenities accompanying settlement. He suggested Burnet Raver, Queensland, as a sititsuble district to initiate the scheme. ’ The Treasury representative replied in the negative, pending further details. Senator Msllen undertook to formulate proposals. Subsequently, Mr Perley said Canada was sympathetic regarding Empire settlement, but preferred to ;idopt, a waiting attitude for the presern». , The conference adjourned till Monday, when Colonel will preside. The programme of subjects, which Lord «fiEilner is submitting, includes the consideration of the general question. of Empire land settlement on a comprehensive scale, decreased ocean and railway passenger rates; the increased cost of emigrants’ outfits; the principle of State-aided emigration of children; preference for British settlers over foreign emigrants to the Dominions; arrangements for receiving settlers m this country, and their recaption and welfare on arrival! oi the Dominions; and the appointment of a representative of the British Government m each Dominion to supervise the arrival of British immigrants.