LINKS OF FLESH AND BLOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 11

LINKS OF FLESH AND BLOOD.

PRINCE MAKES VALUABLE SPEECH ON MIGRATION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z # Cable Association. LONDON. January 26. What is generally acclaimed as a most valuable contribution to the problem of Empire migration was made by the Prince of Wales in responding to the toast of his health at a luncheon at the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club at the Hotel Cecil in celebration of Australia Day. There was a most distinguished gathering, including the Japanese Ambassador, who sat between Lord Forster (ex-Govern-or-General of Australia) and Sir Joseph Cook (High Commissioner for Australia. Lord Forster proposed the Prince’s health. He said that, nobody could adequately assess what the Empire owed to the efforts of the Royal Family unless they had personal knowledge, as he had. He could say that the result of the Prince’s visit to Australia had been most astonishing. The Prince had confirmed their loyalty and strengthened their pride, strong though both were. The memory of his visit was ineffaceable. It was a great work greatly done, all due to a great personality. The Prince of Wales paid a tribute to the outstanding work of Lord Forster in Australia, in which he was bound to remain interested. That was actually inevitable once he had been there. “ The memory of my visit is mostvivid to-day,” he said. Though the bare bones of history did not count for much in the living story of how the nations of the Empire had grown up, it could not be too often told. The most paramount among the present links was the stream of men, women and children going to the dominions. It was a flesh and blood link which he was sure would stand the most severe strain. The stream must go on and grow for the good of all. (Cheers.) On the one hand, there was our overpopulated Old Country; on the other, the dominions’ vast virgin territories whose possibilities were immeasurable. The Prince said that migration must be carefully controlled, or it would flow all. wrong. For that reason, the closest co-operation was necessary. “ We here.” lie said, “ must select and partially train migrants for tli&ir work ahead. Those ‘.’way down under ’ must give advice and look after wouldbe settlers till they are absorbed. It all means organisation, because it is to-day’s most vital problem, and must be tackled.” lie was glad to learn of the Church of England’s cooperation, and hoped that the other churches would join in. The Salvation Army and Dr Barnardo’s Homes were doing a lot, but he would like to see more well-to-do people taking up land settlement in the dominions as their future career—(bear, hear)—also the p’ublic schools not only teaching more about the Empire. but taking a greater part in its development. The Prince of Wales alluded to the excellence of the Big Brother Movement, and the wisdom of sending British schoolboys on visits to Australia. He was most interested in child migration. He had never seen happier children than in the dominions, but there were not enough of them. The New Zealand sheepowners’ scheme was. a noteworthy effort. “ I hope you will not only share my interest, but optimism. T look forward to the day when we will be able to smile with satisfaction at obstacles sur* mounted,” concktded the Prince. Sir Joseph Cook thanked the Prince for his notable speech. Australia was determined to make an even greater contribution to “Britain’s food supply. Mr L. C. M. S. Amery paid a tribute to the Prince’s speech on the migration problem, which, he said, transcended all issues, party or otherwise. lie was confident that it would make the Empire's human resources, and make the Empire even greater yet. The population must be properly distributed.