GROUP MIGRATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16812, 2 June 1926, Page 5

GROUP MIGRATION.

WESTRALIA’S EXPERIENCE IMAGNIFICrINT RESULTS ACHIEVED. REPLY TO SIR JAAIES PARR. (Reuler.) LONDON, Alay 31. At I lie West Australian dinner, lion. H. P. ColebaLch, Agent-General, replied to |he interview with Sir James Pan* appearing in Hie Times, in which Hie New Zealander stated that group settlement on a large scale may ho possible in Australia, but even there it had failed badly, Hie West Australian scheme having gone down with a bump. Air Colcbatch said Sir James Parr had spoken with insufficient knowledge of the scheme. Like all other great plans for land settlement, this had met with many difficulties which were being overcome. The scheme had only been in operation for three years and already 2500 settlers covering a population of 10,000 had been placed on the land. He considered Ihe result had been magnificent, fully justifying Air L. C. AI. S. Amery’s (Secretary -of State for the Dominions), recent report stating:— The success far exceeds my most sanguine preconceived expectations. It, is working out most hopefully and promises to be one of the most hopeful ventures on a large scale of Gov-ernment-assisted migration. Air Colebatch added that the West Australian Government and people were never so absolutely confident of the ultimate success of the group system. The present Government vie in enthusiasm with the Government which initiated tlie scheme, and last week requisitioned a further 70 families. AVhen the Commonwealth completed the arrangements which arc at present under discussion, West Australia will take an increasing number of settlers. The majority of the prescnl migrants arc extremely confident and satisfied.