BRITISH SETTLERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 818, 19 July 1933, Page 1

BRITISH SETTLERS.

Conference to Take Place in Australia. STATEMENT IN COMMONS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received July 7 19. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. In the House of Commons, Mr J. 11. Thomas told Captain W. F. Strickland that the Victorian Government was convening a conference of representatives of the Comonwealth, Victoria and Britain to consider *the position of the British settlers in Victoria. The Commonwealth Government under its agreement with Britain, undertook full responsibility for seeing that all proper arrangements were made by 7 Victoria. It therefore was the task of the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments to take action to deal with the situation disclosed by the Royal Commission’s report. “ I have authorised a British representative to attend in order to afford all possible assistance,” said Mr Thomas. “ Britain’s total expenditure under the 1922 Empire Settlement Act was £6,584,529, including £3,454,210 for Australia, of which £1,928,772 was devoted to assisted passages. £1,390.887 to l an d settlement development and £134,551 to training and after care. The amount spent on land settlement included £216.975 in Victoria. Mr James Maxton (Labour): Will the British representative at the conference be empowered to demand repayment from Victoria because her contract was unfulfilled? Mr Thomas: He will be empowered to act as the British Government representative and to report accordingly.