Evian and Immigration The representatives of thirty nations who have
met at Evian on President Roosevelt's initiative have discussed from many points of view the urgent problem of finding a home for the refugees from Germany and Austria, and have agreed that their countries must accept a new responsibility thrust upon them by the behaviour of Germany. It is proposed that the conference should remain in existence and that a permanent organisation with a Director and an Executive Committe It should be set up in London. It is essential that this committee should work in close co-operation with the League of Nations Committee, which for long has been doing valuable work, and with voluntary organisations whose help will be indispensable. At present no provision is made for payment by Governments except in meeting the expenses of the Secretariat. The suggestion that Germany herself should help by enabling refugees to bring with them their property, or at least substantially more than to per cent. of it, is reasonable enough, but is not likely to meet with an eager response. It has to be firmly insisted that the success of the new organisation will depend entirely upon the attitude of Governments, not so much in regard to financial help, as in their willingness to admit immigrants. France in the past has set a generous example. The tradition and the interest of Great Britain alike demand that she should play her part in admitting immigrants. We cannot, of course, receive them indiscriminately or in vast numbers. But today, as in the past, we have much to gain by the skill and industry of able-bodied aliens, who as workers and consumers should add to the trade of the country rather than compete with the unemployed.
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