“IT MUST BE TACKLED!”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12356, 28 January 1926, Page 5

“IT MUST BE TACKLED!”

PRINCE MAKES STIRRING APPEAL TO BRITAIN TASK OF EMPIRE MIGRATION “THE STREAM MUST GO ON AND GROW, FOR THE GOOD OF ALL* "It must be tackled,” declared the Prince of Wales, in a stirring speech on the subject of Imperial migration. Organisation was required, and co-operation, both of governments and private societies. He appealed to the wealthier classes to take a practical interest in the work.

Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.IS. Cable Association. (Received January 27, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, January 26. AVhat is generally acclaimed as a most valuable contribution to the problem of Empire migration was' made by the Prince of Wales, when responding to the toast of his health at a luncheon given by the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club at the Hotel Cecil, in celebration of Australia Day. There was a most distinguished gathering, including the Japanese Ambassador, who sat between Viscount Forster and Sir Joseph Cook. Lord Forster proposed the Prince’s health. He said that nobody could adequately assess what tbe Empire owed to the effoihs of the Royal Family unless he had personal knowledge. From personal knowledge he could say the result of the Prince’s visit to Australia had been mist, astonishing. The Prince had confirmed their loyalty, and strengthened their pride strong though both were. The memory of his visit was ineffaceable. It was a great work greatly done, and all due to his great personality. The Prince of Wales paid a tribute to the outstanding work of Lord Forster in Australia, in which he was bound to remain interested. That was actually inevitable once he had been 'there. “Even the memory of my visit is most vivid to-day,” said the Prince. “FLESH-AND-BLOOD LINK” Thougjh the bare hones of history did not count for much in the living story of how the nations of the Eknpire have grown up, the story could nob be too often told. The most paramount among the present links was the stream of men, women,' and children going to the Dominions. It was a flesh-and-blood link, which he was sure would stajid tli# mast severe strain. The stream must go on and grow, for the good of all. (Cheers.) On the one hand there was their over-populated Old Country, and on the other the Dominions. vast virgin territories whose possibilities were immeasurable.

MORE MUSV BE DONE Migration must he carefully controlled. or it would flow all wrong. For that reason the closest co-operation was necessary. They in England must select and partially train migrants for ihe now work ahead. Those away “down under” must give advice and look after tho would-be settlers, till they were absorbed. It all meant organisation, because it was to-day's moot vitas problem, and it must be tackled. He was glad to learn of the Church of England’s co-operation, and hoped the other churches would jom in. The Salvation Army and Barnardos were doing a lot, but he would like to see more well-to-do people taking up land settlement in the Dominions as their future career (hear,- hear); and also the public schools not only teaching more Empire, hut taking a greater wart in its development. HAPPY CHILDREN, BUT NOT ENOUGH The Prince alluded to the excellence of the “big brother” movement, and the wisdom of sending British schoolboys on visits to Australia. He said he was most interested in child migration. He had never seen happier children than in the Dominions, but there were not enough of them. The N,w Zealand sheepowners’ scheme was a noteworthy effort. “I hope you will not only share my interest, but my optimism. I look forward to the day when we will be able to smile with satisfaction at obstacles surmounted.” Sir Joseph Cook thanked the Prince for his notable speech. Australia, he said, was determined to make an even greater contribution to Britain’s food supply. Mr Amery paid a tribute to the Prince’s speech. The migration problem, he said, was transcending ail other issues, party or otherwise. He was confident it would make the Empire’s human resources and make the Empire even greater; yet it must be properly distributed.