The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1924. SETTLERS FOR OVERSEAS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 7 June 1924, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1924. SETTLERS FOR OVERSEAS.

Tito Empire Settlement Ac f made tlie British Government and the Dominions partners in a great. Imperial enterprise. So far the results of the partnership have not been particularly, striking 1 , and apparently there is need for a certain measure of frankness on l either side. There is still too much vague talk about fillingvast empty spaces and drawing upon the army of the unemployed in Bxitain to reinforce the slender garrisons oversea. These are j effective phrases, especially when j they are introduced into a sermon to he converted, but the real need of the problem is a little more l plain talk, a little more constructive suggestion, and, above all, a little more accurate informationFor this reason, the series of articles by Major-Ctenerax Wauchope in “The Times” should receive the careful coxxsideration of Government Departments, both at Home and in the Dominions. His articles have given a frank and encouraging statement of the case; lie has taken note of the difficulties that face the settler as well as of the prosperity that awaits him. “Tliere are thousands of men in England to-day,” he says, “who hesitate whether or not to try tlxeir fortunes in the Dominions “for lack of knowledge.” He might have added, with equal justice, that au overwhelming majoiity of the settlers who return to the Old Country disappointed—and they are the worst possible advertisement for a scheme of oversea settlement — are men, obviously unsuited by physique or by temperament for agricultural woi-k, who have taken the risk, set. out for the Dominions, with little knowledge of the conditions awaiting- them, and have, not unnaturally, gone to the wall immediately they arrived. Fortunately, as General Wauchope’s articles have shown, there is another, and a much brighter, side to the picture. In brief, their moral is that, if the settler has the right stuff in him there is xio reason why lie should not. make good. One of the most impressive of his findings is that previous agricultural expei-ience, however de-sii-able, is by no means essential to success ou the land in Australia. Indeed, lie cites the remarkable instance of one man who pi'otested that, before he arrived in the Commonwealth lie had never seeir a cow. Such a case is probably rare enough, but \ there is a lesson in it., and perhaps the overseas authorities might consider whether they are not a trifle too fastidious in their definition of that' ■often repeated phrase: “the right type of settler.” Experience is, no doubt, au invaluable asset, but health, courage, and the will to win make up for a great, deal. The report, issued by Major-General Sir Neville Howse r upon the Commonwealth immigration services in London indicates an increasing desire on the part, of the Federal autlxoiities to tighten up the medical examination on this side. Like, all who have studied the question on. the. spot, General Wauchope is deeply impressed with the advantages of Group- Settlement in West Australia, and it. will be a serious blow, not only to the State itself, but to the general progress of oversea settlement in the Empire, if the admirable system designed by Sir James Mitchell is not. further developed. General Wauchope’s impressions of the sound schemes of co-operative settlement for former Army officers in Victoria suggest that the same policy might, well be extended to public school boys and others possessed of a little capital aixd the pluck to venture oversea. It is significant to note that lxe. also Ixa.s a word of praise for the “County” scheme, which, with, its ideal of settling men .ad women from the same part, of the Old Country in a new homo, hut with the old associations, does much to remove the loneliness which is such a deterrent to those who arc doubtful about making the great adventure. General j Waxiehope ends bis articles by saying: “The most inspiring d;scovexy I made was to find hundreds of Englislimoxx who had such faith in their future that the message they send to then comrades at home is, T'ol.ow nx our footsteps.’ ”