BRITISH IMMIGRATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21387, 15 July 1931, Page 7

BRITISH IMMIGRATION

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE REPORT AN INTERESTING COMMENTARY (Prom Oub Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 14. An interesting commentary upon British immigration to the dominions is made in the report of the Imperial Conference which was tabled in the House to-day and which contains the conclusions of the special committee on overseas settlement. Although recognising that the conditions overseas were at the moment unfavourable for migration the committee expressed the view that inter-imperial migration should be governed by the absorptive capacity of the country to which the settlers were going, and not by the conditions of the country they were leaving. The absorptive capacity of the dominions depended first upon the existence \of adequate markets, and secondly upon the inflow of capital for fresh development. ; The reduced steamer fare from England to Canada was welcomed, but it was considered inadvisable to suggest a similar concession to Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand voluntary organisations could assist migration, though the committee stressed the desirability of all such organisations working in conjunction and with the sanction of the Governments concerned.' The committee recommended that the, existing arrangements should be' kept in being so far as Canada, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia were concerned, and also to maintain the arrangements for the reunion of families in the dominions.