2 SEPTEMBER 1938, Page 3

A New Emigration Scheme It is inspiring to picture British

Columbia " aflame with enthusiasm " for Sir Henry Page Croft's idea that the British Government should agree to the incorporation of a company to fit out and settle British immigrants in Canada. His plan, he told the Empire Club at Toronto on Tuesday, was to place settlers on approved land in various parts of Canada and, in the event of success, in other parts of the Empire. If the plan met with support in England the first unit of immigrants would be sent to British Columbia. Mr. Patullo, the Premier of that Province, announced last Thursday that his Government was ready to give all the land necessary to settle to,000 British families—if suitable arrangements could be made among all the parties concerned. The last phrase is a wise proviso. Chartered companies have played a considerable part in the development of various parts of the Empire, and their experience may be worth drawing on in this connexion. But all such schemes tend to break on finance, and British Columbia's gift of land will not solve that problem. The cost of training immigrants at home and supporting them through the first unremunerative years has to be borne by someone. It is hard to see how the British Government can take any extensive responsibility for that in present circumstances.

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