AN IMPERIAL PROBLEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19702, 1 February 1926, Page 6

AN IMPERIAL PROBLEM.

The Prince of Wales, in the course of a weighty speech in celebration of Australia Day, emphasised the vital importance of the migration problem ; and the Secretary of State for the Dominions, previously addressing a deputation, expressed the opinion that a proper distribution of the population of tho Empire was the key to future Imperial strength. The Prince and Mr Amery have both done good practical work in furthering what is undoubtedly an enterprise of moment; but it has to he admitted that the actual achievements up to date have not been altogether satisfactory. The deputation which interviewed Mr Amery evidently appreciated this weakness of development. It laid stress upon the need of arousing a general recognition of the seriousness of the situation as regards the distribution of population, and advocated’ a non-party crusade with a view to instructing “every citizen” in the question of Imperial settlement. Crusades, bravely named and initiated, sometimes come to little, but there is force in the deputation’s allusion to non-partisanship. It cannot be denied that both in the Home Country and in the oversea dominions the migration proposals have excited misgivings in Labour circles. Some of the objections have been merely factious, but others may have been honestly raised. There is no substantial ground for the idea that steady, wall-organised migration would injuriously affect labour conditions at Home or in the dominions; but the idea has taken root in some quarters, and it is worth while trying to eradicate it. Mr Amery confesses that he is disappointed with the progress of migration in recent years, but he has practical measures in hand, and probably he is not indisposed to range himself with the Prince’s cheery outlook. 1 “I hope,” his Royal Highness said, “you will not only share my interest but my optimism. I look forward to the day when we shall be able to smile with satisfaction at the obstacles surmounted.” But,, as Prince and Minister alike insist, co-operation, organisation, and intelligent enterprise are necessary. Without them the -day will certainly be postponed when “Greater Britain” will become, in Viscount Burnham’s words, “the greatest Britain of all.”