The Dominions.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 January 1914, Page 5

The Dominions.

COMMISSION’S REPORT. DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALASIA. _.tJY Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.J London, January 27. The Dominions Commission reports states that the most urgent problem in Australia concerns the better distribution oi population and impioved oversea communications. At present the Dominions were spending a great l<.leal with doubtful success in their attempts to secure agricultural workers. It was, therefore, natural to suggest [ that some portions of this expenditure could more profitably be devoted to I hearing with the Mother Country a [share of the cost of some sysfem oi Government farms for testing and [training in the United Kingdom. This scheme would he easier if the emigration were placed under general control. Australia, even under the existing regime, could hope for success.

FREIGHT DISCRIMINATION.

London, January 26

The Commission found freight discrimination against British shippers, whereby certain British shipowners could transport goods from the Continent to New Zealand at lower rates than from British ports. This was thoroughly unsatisfactory, ran counter to the patriotic and Imperial intentions of the New Zealand Legislature, and acted detrimentally to British trade. Xo adequate defence was made, though repeated opportunities were given. IMMIGRATION METHODS. London, January 27. The Dominions’ Commission's report continues:—

Australasia mainly requires youths vita adaptability. This requirement could be met equally from the towns as from the country p suitable training is provided. Although Australasia needs more domestics, the Commission is unable to endorse the view that a suitable surplus exists in the United Kingdom. Family migration is open to serious objections under the present arrangements, which are susceptible of improvement. The system whereunder emigrants are recruited is antiquated and defective, and the arrangements in Australasia for the reception of women need attention and development. More emigrants are needed to all tropical and sub-tropical Australia, wherefore Malta seems a suitable recruitingground. it would bo advantageous to divert to Australasia some part of the present Irish migration. Emigrant ships should provide adequate privacy and segregation for single women, and an increase of hospital accommodation. HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. The deepening of the larger Empire .harbors is urgent to meet future requirements of inter-imperial trade. First-class harbors should have a working depth of at least 40ft. POSTAL FACILITIES. j The Commissioners regret they are j unable to take a favorable view of 1 the oversea postal facilities enjoyed by Australia. The postal service is inadequate, and existing speed of mail services does not justify the large subsidies. If. enhanced speed is unobtainable at reasonable cost, the Commission would prefer to see mails carried I at statutory rates, and the money so saved devoted to improving Imperial communications in other directions. The new route that Australia was opening up is therefore unjustifiable. The termination of the Peninsular ComjPan.v’s contract renders the time opIportune to re-examine the problem |on broad Imperial lines.

The Australian cable rates are too [high, restricting the use to the com[mercial circles and checking free intercourse with the Motherland. The Dominion’s cables work far below the maximum capacity. Certain modifications regarding deferred messages and week-end cables should he made immediately, and daily cable letters [should be introduced. The minimum ■for week-end cables should be reduced to 12 words at sixpence a word. The British Office is favorably disposed in this direction.

GENERAL.

In Australia, the important question of. the substitution of hulk-hand-ling of wheat instead of bagging is worthy of examination. Further coordination of statistical methods to secure uniformity is urgently desirable. The report recommends an Empire Conference of Statisticians. Preferential advantages granted to British goods is prejudiced to some extent by the fact that each Dominion requires a different form of certificate of origin. The report urges uniformity. The Commission is gratified at the cottongrowing experiments in Queensland, the improvement of Port Phillip, and the confining of loan issues to definite remunerative purposes.