The Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1920. OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12013, 16 March 1920, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1920. OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT.

THERE is, in some quarters, a feeling of opposition to the immigration of labour into this country. It is perhaps dot so strong as it is in Queensland, where Labour rules, and immigration is being strongly resisted, but it is also affecting nianv in New Zealand. This, of course, was not the spirit that animated the pioneers of settlement, who welcomed all to these shores, whether they were countrymen or aliens, and whose action has been justified by the results, which have been development and prosperity. At the same time we must confe that we do not view the British Government’s overseas settlement plans without a certain amount: of suspicion. It is all very well ;for British political leaders to talk about the advantages to be derived by diverting the stream of emigration to portions of the Empire, . rather than to foreign countries, the people of which may possibly some day become enemies. No one doubts these, and the expressions are merely platitudes, serving to conceal the real motive for the promotion of emigration, which is, of course, to make more room for those | who are left, and to provide an easy method of dealing with a present problem. "What we are concerned with is how the diversion of the stream of emigration will affect us. That it will benefit us is undeniable—provided the people are of the right class. If they are such as will aid us to develop the country, and increase its production, then there is room for many thousands. Our lands are waiting for the hands to work them to advantage, for as yet we are not using them to their full capacity, indeed, large areas are still almost in the same state as they were before the, first British settlers arrived and began the spiendid work of creating a new nation in these southern seas. If they come not only with stout hearts and willing hands, but also with a little capital they will be still more welcome, but even if they lack the last and possess the other two qualifications they will become assets to the State. What we fear, however, is that the work of selection will not be properly performed by the authorities in the Motherland, not so much because of any lack of judgment on their part, bnt because they do not fully understand our requirements and are not so vitally interested as we are in the choice of the right sort. It seems to ns that our Government would be wise if it stipulated that all intending immigrants should be required to pass an examination by the High Commissioner or his staff. The able-bodied and willing will aid us in our work, increase our prosperity and hasten our progress, but the lazy or the parasitic class would only add to our troubles and handicap us in our struggles to sucseed in building up a groat and prosperous nation under the Southern Gross.

IT is not surprising that there is likely to be civil war in Germany'. The military, most of whom are Monarchists, have seized their opportunity, and taken advantage of the delay of the Allies in enforcing the Treaty. By gaining power, they have reached a position that enables them to repudiate any actions of their predecessors, and the Allies will now have to deal with the nation from a new standpoint. Their task will be easier than before, however, because the Socialists 1 are arraying themselves against the aristocratic and military classes, and without the active co-operation of Labour no army can long sustain a struggle. Consequently if the Allies decide to maroh;to the way; Will be

comparatively easy. The monarchists have not onlv the Socialist-, but the whole world against tnem. Their action, indeed, opens the way for the Allies to finish woYk they stopped doing when the armistice was granted, and they may, even yet, secure those war criminals it is desirable to fplace on trial. It is stated that Holland will he expected to make certain that the Kaiser she is sheltering shall not return to Germany, bpt we doubt whether his return to the Fatherland would greatly affect the course of events. To the mass of the people he became distasteful, and he can no longer arouse them to enthusiasm for him &s Napoleon did the French after his escape from Elba. In the meantime the reports from Germany have overshadowed all other news so far as importance is concerned.