EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18157, 31 January 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE

SENATOR MILLEN’S PROPOSAL

DEVELOPMENT OF CROWN LANDS

Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, January 28

Lord Milner presided over the Empire Settlement Conference. Sir James Allen represented New Zealand, Senator Millen Australia, and Sir George Perley Canada. The imperial Treasury was also represented, but South Africa was not represented. The Agents-General of the Australian States and the Canadian provinces are not participating, leaving their representation to the dominions.

Lord Milner explained that the conference was related to State-aided Empire settlement. Emigration was'a wrong term to use in this connection. The proposalsembraced the agenda which was cabled yesterday, and related to the transhipment of British population within the confines of the Empire. This had no relation to emigration, which, strictly interpreted, meant losing the population of the Empire to foreign countries. It was suggested that this was a matter calling for the co-opera-tion of the whole of the Empire Governments.

Sir James Allen agreed, but deprecated spasmodic migration. He advocated a regularised policy of continued migration. Senator Millen elaborated a scheme under which ths British and Australian Governments would co-operate in the provision of finances in the shape of a loan by means of which selected areas of Crown lands would bo developed bv means of railways, roads, and bridges, as well as water sup ply and other works upon which the settlers would be employed contemporaneously with the clearing, tilling, and cropping of the lands. Senator Millen pointed out that the greater part of the suitable lands were already freeaold, and to resume possession of them would be costly, whereas suitable Crown_ lands were inaccessible, hence the necessity of railways and other amenities accompanying settlement. He suggested the Burnett River area in Queensland as a suitable district in which to inaugurate the scheme. The Treasury representative replied In the negative, pending fuller details. Senator Millen undertook to formulate definite proposals. Subsequently Sir George Perley said Canada was sympathetic towards Empire settlement, but preferred to adopt a waiting attitude for the present. The conference has adjourned till Monday, when Lieutenant-colonel L. C. S. M. Amery (Under- Secretary of State for the Colonies) will preside.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

The programme of subjects drawn up by Lord Milner tor the conference includes: (1) Emigration on a comprehensive scale; (2) increased ocean and railway passenger rates; (3) increased cost of emigrants’ outfits; (4) the principle of State-aided emigration of children; (5) preference to British settlers over foreign emigrants to the dominions ; (6) arrangements for receiving settlers from this country and their reception and welfare on arrival in the dominions; (7) the appointment of a representative of the British Government in each dominion to supervise the arrival of British emigrants.