OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14592, 16 February 1921, Page 5

OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT

_— PAST YEAR’S WORK PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT. FOR OVERSEAS DOMINIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 15, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, February 14. The annual report of the Overseas Settlement Committee says that the year 'witnessed an improvement in the shipping situation, but special measures arc still necessary on the Australasian routes to meet the situation. Complaints regarding the third class accommodation are partly attributable to many who formerly travelled in a superior class, but who now are compelled to travel third owing to the increase in passenger rates, and partly cmc to the fact that passengers are less prepared than heretofore to face the discomforts of the cheapest ocean travel. There arc still a considerable number of ex-service men unemployed in Britain. A policy of settlement and development which will stimulate production overseas is a measure which deserves consideration, though the relief to ■ ox-service men will be largely indirect. II must he remembered that industrial conditions are abnomal, not only in Britain hut in the. Dominions, and it is clearly impossible for self- I governing Dominions to receive the ] unemployed of the Mother Country even if they are ex-service men, unless those governments arc satisfied that the men will find suitable employment overseas. In certain quarters overseas there is still a tendency to ignore Urn vital importance of careful selection, and a tendency to approach the matter too much with the object of getting the immediate labour requirements filled, and too little regard for the well being of the settlers. No policy of Empire settlement ,can be successful unless settlers from the Mother Country receive a cordial welcome overseas, and settlors are placed on the land under an organised system of grants. The free passages for ex-service men and women had worked well and will be extended further during the >ear. The number of applicants for free passages was 64,043, covering 130.000 persons, of whom 37,000 received free passages—s 429 men and 1051 women going to Australia, and 35 47 men and 330 women to New Zealand. The total commitments to date were £270,000, and the tolal sum at the disposal of the committee £375.000. Owing to the war the excess of females in ihe United Kingdom beIween the ages of 15 and 45 is 1,250,006, compared with 566,000 in 1011. The committee strongly favours the encom-agernent of the settlement of women overseas by State aid. Many women who are not prepared to take, up domestic service in the United Kingdom are prepared to go overseas, where service may lead io happier and fuller conditions of life than in the Mother Country. The overseas settlement of poor law and other suitable children would he highly beneficial. if the West Australia experiment with Dr. Barnado j boys is successful, it is hoped ihnt-j similar schemes will he adopted elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand.