A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 4

A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

SIR RIDER HAGGARD'S MISSION. SETTLING BRITISH EX-SOLDIERS ON THE LAND. WELLINGTON, May 31. Sir H. Rider Haggard, who is visiting the overseas dominions in connection with the settlement of soldiers on the land and the general question of oversea emigration, reached Wellington to-day by the Manuka from Sydney, and is the guest of the Governor. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) Tn an interview. Sir Rider Haggard said that ho was visiting the colonies in the honorary capacity as representative of the Colonial Institute to inquire into what facilities will be granted by the dominion's Government for the settling ot' British cxsoldiers on the laud. In Australia lie had met with great encouragement, and ho had to !i;id out what New Zealand could do in organising. Ho represented that he did not wish to hound the people out of England. What he was devoting his efforts to was to keep those who did wish to leave England on the conclusion of the war in the Kmpire. to ensure that they would remain under the British flag. He believed the emigration from Great Britain to the United States in normal times was 10.000 to 20,000 a year. If these people must go away, it was hoped thi y would go to the British dominions, at, whatever cost and at whatever sacrifice we ought to keep these men and women. Of course there would be difficulties, but none' would bo entirely insuperable. When ho set out he did not receive much encouragement from the friends who might bo supposed to know something the matter, but Queensland liu. 1 promised a tn i'ion acres suitable for dairvinsr and agricultural farming, N-mv South Wales had promised to put 1000 men on the Chanco irrigation lands durniv, the next two years. givin«T preference to British subjects who had been engaged in the war, and would put all time-expired Imperial soldiers on the same footing as the State's own soldiers. With respect to preference for Government

employment, Western Australia would give the British ex-soldiers the same advantages as to any special lane settlement or Government. As to Australian returned soldiers, South Australia was willing re extend tho same privileges to the British soldiers as to Australian soldiers. As regarded land settlement and Government employment, Tasmania would provide land and organises settlement tor at least 3C!) British soldiers. The Chartered Company of British South Africa offered SGO.COJ acres free to all approved British solders and settlers from overseas, and also to provide expert advico and supervision. From Nov,- Zealand Sir Rider Haggard will go to Canada on the same quest.