EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 10

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

a TRADE AND MIGRATION. INTERESTS OF RETURNED SOLDIERS. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, August 19. Among the passengers who arrived from England by the Tainui, which berthed this morning, was Major-general Sir Andrew Russell* chairman of the fourth conference of the British Empire Service League, held in London. Sir Andrew spent only a month in England and did not get far beyond the confines of the metropolis. At the dinner tendered to the delegates to the conference the Prince of Wales presided. - Sir Andrew, said to-day that every part df the Empire was represented and many valuable exchanges of views on several subjects were made. One of the principal subjects discussed 'Was trade within the empire, and the matter of how far the league could assist by means of propaganda was considered. It was agreed that as far as possible steps should 1 be taken to inculcate in people the advisability of buying goods made within the Empire. “So far as immigration was concerned,” said Majorgeneral Russell, "the question was so big that it was felt that it would have to ho tackled by the respective Governments and wcmld require the undivided attention of expert bodies. You will have noticed that the new Labour Government has created a portfolio to deal with unemployment in Great Britain, Mr J. H. Thomas being appointed Minister in charge, and it would seem that something similar will have to be done in regard to immigration. Up to date the immigration and unemployment problems have been everyone’s job and no one’s, but that would have to be altered. " I am unable to say really much about the general conditions in England, as I was hardly out of London, In that City one is not conscious of anything wrong, because all the world goes there to spend its money. People from the United States of America are simply pouring in in their thousands.” Referring to the change of Government at Home, Sir Andrew Russell said that the general feeling appeared to be that the Labour Party should be given its chance. He had not heard a single word of disparagement of the hew Government. As to general conditions in England, he felt that he was not qualified to express an opinion of his own owing to the fact that, he had not been in the provinces, bpt the general idea seemed to be that it would be very difficult to get the coal and cotton trades back to the basis On which they were previously. He had been informed that the shipbuilding trade was making good progress, but that the cycle trade was dull. Sir Andrew Russell had conversations with Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, and the latter, as usual, spoke in the warmest terms of praise of New Zealand. "He takes a very active interest in all matters appertaining to the welfare of exsoldiers and ex-sailors,” added Sir Andrew. “ The next conference will be held in Australia in two years’ time, and Lord Jellicoe will preside.” Sir Andrew Russell, who is president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, called at Dominion headquarters and briefly recounted his activities in England on behalf of the association; but later he will Submit a comprehensive report. While in England Sir Andrew visited the Preston Hall settlement, where disabled soldiers, mostly T.B, cases, are engaged in light carpentry work (making dog kennels, motor garages, etc., in sections), making fibre suitcases and other light articles. He also visited the Lord Roberts -Memorial Workshops and the poppy-making factory with a view to finding out details of the running of those concerns and assisting the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association when and if the commission asked for by the association of the Minister of Defence is set up. Sir Andrew brought back a considerable amount of data regarding the poppy factory, and as a result it is.hoped to make Poppy Day in New Zealand a bigger movement than previously. Sir Andrew Russell also went into questions of finance affecting ex-imperial men in New Zealand, securing information regarding funds controlled by the British Legion and the Empire Service League.