CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 7 October 1936, Page 8

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

EMPIRE CONGRESS. MIGRATION PROBLEM. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. When the subject of migration came up at the congress of the Empire Chambers of Commerce to-day, Lord Elibank vacated the chair in favour of Sir Thomas Wilford, who called on Mr J. E. Emlyn-Jones (Cardiff) to move a resolution which was a compromise between a number originally submitted as remits by Britain, Australia and New Zealand. It, affirmed the vital importance of an early reinforcement of the populations of the oversea Dominions by organised and substantial migration from Great Britain.

Mr J. T. Martin (Wellington) admitted that the population of New Zealand was practically at a standstill,, but pointed out that New Zealand was coming out of a depression which had hit her severely and that the migration question was becoming a live subject again. The matter was largely one of publicity and three books had already appeared on the subject this year. He declared that there was a shortage of labour in New Zealand,, particularly for farms and domestic service. If they were given time to formulate a comprehensive scheme he thought something could be done. Lord Elibank, speaking as a delegate, strongly supported the views of Mr Emlyn-Jones. He said the matter had to be looked at from the point of view of building up the Empire Commonwealth, but also from the world point of view. He pointed out that there was land-hunger among the nations and specifically referred to the trend of events in Italy and Germany. It was no wonder they were looking at the open spaces in the British Dominions, he said. He thought British capital should be sent to the Dominions as well as migrants, but it must receive proper consideration. If it were taxed out of existence or anything done to make trade impossible, very little capital would come out. Lord Elibank also suggested that there was’ need to open the way for a proportion of European migration, as America had done. He pointed out that Britain’s own blood was by no means unmixed. The motion was carried unanimously and by acclamation. Delegates to the Congress were addressed by the. Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) on the coming New Zealand centennial. Mr Parry extended an invitation to delegates to return in 1940, or, if they were not able to come themselves, to recommend their friends to come. '

Sir Albert Atkey moved a resolution having for its object the freeing of the development of Empire trade from the handicap of double taxation occasioned by the taxation imposed in certain Empire countries and States upon British non-residents trading ' through agents. This was carried after brief discussion.

A resolution regarding monetary policy was moved by Mr J. A. Aiton (Derby) also on behalf of the council. This viewed with satisfaction the attempt now being made to stabilise the franc, dollar and pound sterling in relation to each other and urged his Majesty’s Governments to do everything in their power to promote the speedy success of the attempt. Stiess was laid on the withdrawal as far as possible of restrictions on financial payments, exchanges and trade. Seconding the motion, Mr R. L. Barclay (London) emphasised that it was not credit that was the basis of wealth, but wealth that was the basis of credit. They wanted in London to encourage the colonies and lend money, but must make the condition that they were credit-worthy. Professor T. Hytten (Sydney) did not agree that exchange should be stabilised and moved to, add the words: “As far’as internal conditions will allow.” This had strong support particularly from the Australian and New Zealand delegations,, but was eventually lost and the resolution was carried by a large majority. The conference opened a debate on a resolution aiming at the imposition of restrictions on cheap-labour manufacturing countries, particularly Japan, and adjourned until to-morrow morning.—(P. A.) "