THE TRADE COMMISSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 42, 18 February 1913, Page 5

THE TRADE COMMISSION.

IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, February 17. Sir Edgar Vincent has arrived. Interviewed, he said that the enquiries of the Trade Commission, of which he is chairman, were not concerned with tariffs, but would deal with all questions in relation to trade, except tariffs.

The Commission, lie said, had learned that eight years" ago nearly 70 per cent, of the immigration from the United Kingdom was to foreign countries; now 75 per cent, was to the Dominions, principally Canada and Australia. This was satisfactory as far as it went. Nobody doubted that the population of the Empire needed to be better distributed. The question of better distribution was one with which the Commission was concerned.

Sir Edgar Vincent considered that 90 per cent, of the immigrants to Australia benefited thereby. There must, no doubt, be a few malcontents who would bo failures anywhere. Among the questions to be considered was the class of immigrants wanted in Australia. There was no idea in England of using Australia as a dumping ground for people not wanted at Home. Whether the best methods were employed, and whether the currents of immigration were directed in the best channels were among the questions investigated. Sir Edgar sails for New Zealand on Wednesday. NO FAIRER JEWEL—AUSTRALIA. “THE MANLESS LAND.” (Received 10.25 a.m.) Melbourne, February 18. Speaking at the welcome to Ihe Commission, Sir Rider Haggard said there was no fairer jewel in the Imperial crown than that set in these seas. The great mass of the population of the British Isles knew little of Australia. Other parts of the Empire were thrust upon their notice to the obscuration of Australia, and he only wished that the plethora of population of Britain could be brought where there was a plethora of land; that the landless man could bo brought to the manless land. Lord Denman (Governor-General) lunched with the Commission. WELCOMED TO AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, February 17. At a welcome in the Town Hall to the Trade Commisisoners, Mr Hughes said that the people of the Empire had been pottering about like children or savages in the dark. Wo should realise that wo have a relation to one another, and that our loyalty is only and, in short, a factor. We in Australia were doing little more than scratching about with anaemic hands.

Sir E. Vincent said the Commission marked a definite epoch in Imperial development. It was the first flying squadron attached to the mighty fleet of the Imperial Conference. Its mission was to. visit the territory of all autonomous governments and consult with authorities on trade and commerce and with representatives of the Dominions, and lay the facts before the next Imperial Conference. “There had,” ho said, “been all England elevens, but this is the first time we now have an Empire eleven. We are here to co-operate with you. We desire to increase in an especial degree the inter-imperial trade.”