25 APRIL 1952, Page 5

" Go - to the snail, thou migrant, consider her

ways and be wise." Or, perhaps it is to the British Government that the injunction should be addressed. Anyhow the snail, travelling under his own roof, is the model. The idea, Mr. Nigel Nicolson's, thrown out in the course of a maiden speech in the House of Commons on Monday, is that the emigrant to Australia should take a prefabricated house (provided by the Government) with him. Laburnum Villa would repose snugly in the hold while its future occupants were reposing, probably less snugly, in the steerage—if there is such a thing nowadays. How far this is a practical proposition I don't know—no doubt prefabricated houses are still badly needed here—but it seems to me an excellent proposition. Even if emigrants are able to find homes of a kind somewhere the odds are that it won't be where they find work. To get the work and take the house to it would be admirable. I hope that in spite of the apparent difficulties the possibilities will be fully explored. * * * *