[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I trust that the
letters of Mr. Limmer, Sir John Poison and others in your columns of the last few weeks will not fall on barren ground, and that they will secure the attention of the Prime Ministers of the Oversea Dominions who are now conferring with the Home Government on the problems of the Empire. As Sir John Poison truly says, there is none more pressing for solution than that of relieving our over- burdened island of its surplus population, by financial induce- ments to migration. Now is the time. To let the opportu- nity slip may indeed be fatal to the integrity of the Empire. No longer are Burke's words as true to-day as when they were uttered, that the ties which bind the Empire together " though light as air are strong as links of iron." Disintegrating influences are at work of whieh I forbear to speak. But extended experience of Canada and Australia has convinced me that they both want as pioneers the best type of young English manhood, and this is to be found beyond all gain- saying chiefly in our Public Schools.
. Sir John Poison insists that "everything possible should be done to encourage our Public Schools to establish as part of their ordinary curricula a course of instruction in farming and agriculture specially designed to fit boys for the pursuit of those industries in the Colonies." It may be interesting, therefore, to record that at the recent meeting of the British Association a committee was appointed "to consider the training to be given at school to pupils intended for an oversea life," of which committee I have the honour of being appointed chairman. Perhaps I may be permitted to add that thirteen years ago I had become convinced of the importance of securing a closer touch between the young Britisher and the Western Canadian, and with that end in view I established a ranch in Alberta for Public School boys when I was Head-Master of Bradfield College—a scheme of which you were good enough to approve in your columns of January, 1910.—I am, Sir, &c., H. B. GRAY. St. Mary's Vicarage, Bury St. Edmund's.
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