PEOPLING THE EMPIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 19 March 1926, Page 9

PEOPLING THE EMPIRE.

Migration Committee’s Report. SOME INTERESTING RECOMMENDATIONS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyrlfht. Renter's Telegrams. (Received March 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 17. The report of tho Migration Committee mainly recommends that the question of reciprocal arrangements for Empire social insurance should l?e discussed at the Imperial Conference, especially uniformity of the period of residence as a qualification for old age pensions; (2) The attention of the Unemployment Insurance Committee should be directed to the diminution of interest in migration on the part of persons aged about 18, when they become eligible for benefits; (3) that publicity should be given to any Dominion schemes of social insurance, and tile existing facilities for the transfer of migrants; (4) insurance of juveniles and extension of facilities for training in the elements of rural occupations; (5) all contributory pensioners going overseas as migrants should be credited with a lump sum equivalent to a year’s pension in lieu of the pension they surrender on migration.

The committee points out the steady rise in tho standard of living in the United Kingdom, the increased reluctance to migrate, and also the restrictions on family migration. These were so serious that it is doubtful whether an adequate redistribution of population would be possible till the facilities for families and married people were improved. “This, in conjunction with Britain’s shortage of young farm workers and domestics, chiefly explains the lack of the increase in migration,” states the report.

Dealing with the objection that the Dominion physical standards are too high, the Committee emphasises that the strenuousness of life overseas requires some degree of fitness, but expresses the opinion that the height limit might reasonably be reconsidered. The report emphasises the harmful effects of stories of unemployment received from overseas, where it is actually confined to towns and casual workers.

The report declares that residence in any part of the Empire should be accepted as a qualification for the old age pension, and adds, “We believe the Labour fears that a substantial increase of migration would lower wages in the Dominions, are groundless; indeed, reversely it has been doubted whether the Dominions can maintain the present standard without substantial development of industries and agriculture, and for this the first requisite is more people.” The report also points out' that the high cost of ocean passages restricts a number of unassisted immigrants, who are inclined to migrate.