EMPIRE EMIGRATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15747, 11 February 1922, Page 5

EMPIRE EMIGRATION.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO FINANOTALLY ASSIST.

Elec TeJ. Copyrlßh: United Press Assn Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

(Received February 11, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, February 10

Mr. Churchill, replying to a deputation, pledged Government financial cooperation with Die Dominions in establishing permanent continuous emigration. Jfo hoped to pass a Bill dealing -with Ihe subject this session.

(Received Feb. 11, 9.35 a.m.)

LONDON, Feb. 10.

The emigration deputation included Lord Sydenham, Sir L. Stanley, Sir H. L. Gal way, .Viscount. Buxton, and Sir Godfrey Lagden, also representatives of the Colonial Institute Emigration Committee, British Dominions' Emigration Committee., Grown Colonies Committee, V.M.C.A., Salvation Army, Church Emigration Society, Child Emigration Society, Public Schools Emigration organisation, and British Women's Federation. Lord Sydenham, in introducing it, stated that it was the most representative deputation on emigration over organised, lie believed the prosperity of Ihc Empire depended on migration. Britain was, over-populated, while some of the Dominions, especially Australia, were exposed to a real danger owing to under-population. The redistribution of population within the. Empire was not a sectional but an Imperial question. Independent action on the part of any one Dominion would be futile; private action-was impracticable. Whatever scheme ultimately was adopted, it must be under the joint co-opera-tion and supervision of the British and Dominion Governments.

Sir L. Stanley pointed out that the cost of public relief in the United Kingdom in 1890 was only twenty-five millions. Now it was 330 millions.

Mr. Churchill intei'jected: How do you arrive at those figures? Unemployment benefit is about one hundred millions. "

Sir L. Stanley replied that the figures were Mr. Geoffrey Drage's compilation. They embraced all forms _of public" relief. Sir L. Stanley continued lliafc during his residence in Australia, he found the directors of public opinion there greatly concerned in reference to underpopulation. The natural increase was insufficient. He. understood the .Labor party in Britain did not favor emigration, nor did, the Labor party in Australia. He believed the opposition in botli cases was honestly based on economic objections, which were removable by guaranteeing rural settlement of im-, migrants from the day of their arrival, thereby preventing them competing with metropolitan labor, while creating employment. He strongly commended the scheme Mr. Millen submitted to the Colonial Office, emigration conference, under which immigrants would pi'oceed direct to partially-prepared settlements. His , Australian experience convinced him that it -would be dangerous almost to place settlers on undeveloped Lands. Victoria, possessed many areas capable of closer settlement. New .South Wales arid ■ possibly other States estimated the cost of placing each settler at over one thousand pounds. The proposed grants would be divided between preparing settlements and financing the settlers. MR. CHURCHILL'S REPLY. EMPIRE POWER-HOUSE OVERCROWDED, FUNDS PROVIDED FOR EMIGRATION. s v ■ (Received Fob. 11, 2.55 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10.* Miss Oldham, on behalf of the women's societies,' advocated family migration on iho Canadian plan, particularly women and children. Col. Amery, who accompanied Mr. Winston Churchill, stated . that three years' experience in the chairmanship of the Overseas Settlement Committee had convinced him that it was necessary to secure the co-operation of Britain and the Dominions in increasing the migra-' tion of women and children. Mr. Churchill, in replying, recognised that Britain, which heretofore had been the power-house of the Empire, was now overcrowded, while the Dominions offei'ed possibilities of a new and wider life, which had been insufficiently exploited owing to inadequate co-operation. "On these linos lies the main path to achievement on which the Imperial Government is endeavoring,,, to advance in regard to the consolidation of the British Empire at the present time." If necessary the problem should be dealt with by competent experienced migrationists; therefore, it was proposed to enlist Col. Amery's co-operation. He hoped the Imperial Conference emigration resolution would soon be implemented. The Government Bill announced in the King's speech had already been drafted. Finances had been promised by the Treasury and authorised by Cabinet. Even in these hard times ho believed there would bo substantial provision for Empire settlement. He would do all in his power to assist the movement, which demanded continuity, persistence, perseverance, and generous financial assistance. He deprecated spasmodic fluctuating migration. One year's eperience would bo futile. In ten years they would begin to get better results; 50 years would produce changes in the grouping of the world's population, while a century would probably effect a revolution in the balance of the world's population. He appealed to the deputation to create a strong body of Empire opinion in favor of promoting inter-frnperial migration. He . hoped this year the Government would secure legislation to lay the foundation of a great continuous scheme of State-aided migration from these islands, which should be as elastic as possible to meet the views of the- Dominions.