BRITISH EMIGRANTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 7

BRITISH EMIGRANTS.

SLOW PROGRESS. DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED. (Australian nut N.Z. Cabie Assn.) LONDON, .May 28. In the Rouse of Commons to-day. Mr .1. A. B. Marriott, Conservative member for York, moved a resolution expressing disappointment at Ihe slow progress made under the Empire settlement Act. lie urged the Government to give the fullest effect to the provisions of the Act. The population of the Empire must, be evenly distributed. While there was hardly room for people In move in Britain, Canada and Australia were "as empty as drums." He enlarged upon ihe effect such a policy would have, in solving the unemployment difficulty and extending the export trade of Britain.

Mr W. M. Lunn, • Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, in replying, said that the Government did not regard migration as a panacea for unemployment. The Government accepted the Economic Conference's resolution, and would continue to give effect to its overseas selllemcnl policy. 11 had offered Lo pay half the interest for live years, and one-third of the interest for a further live years on loans not exceeding £25,000,000 raised in the Commonwealth for settlement purposes under stipulated conditions. This would enable Australia to settle between 400,000 and 500,000 settlers during the next 10 years. He hoped the offer would he accepted. It would prove to he of mutual advantage to Britain and Australia.

Mr L. C. S. Amcry, formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that Mr Lunn's speech showed thai there had been no fault in not carrying out, the Act, at this end. The Dominion Government had found it more difficult lo carry out than they had anticipated. They preferred, to' carry it out well rather than too ambitiously. Mr Lunn said that he, considered New Zealand was an ideal country for British settlers, lie regretted that, only 7000 out of the expected 10,000 had emigrated to that Dominion during 111 23. The motion was talked out.