Letters to the Editor EMPIRE MIGRATION • [To the Editor
of the SPECTATOR.]
you permit a plain-spoken exception to be taken to one of your recent editorial statements ? In your issue of July 28th you declare that " the Dominions have a perfect right to choose the type of man they want," that is to say, a perfect right to regulate migration with a view solely to their own interests.
I would propose the amendment that the Dominions have no right to regulate immigration without regard to the claims and interests of the people of Great Britain. The custody of the immense, unoccupied lands of the Empire was handed over to the colonists in the full expectation that the rights of the British people would always be faithfully observed. The denial of the right to enter and settle was never contemplated. Even though such a sequel had been contemplated, it was entirely beyond the powers of the statesmen responsible for the changes in political status to abrogate these rights. Nothing can alter the fact that the territories in question were first won, were long defended, and are even now secure through the efforts and sacrifices of the people of Great Britain ; nothing can absolve the Dominions from the obligations that were on this account entailed.
The doctrine that the Dominions have no duties or responsibilities in this most important matter is the most potent single cause that the enormous empty fields of the Empire have become practically useless to those who need them most. The restriction to free circulation is incompatible with a re-al Imperial unity, it multiplies the differences of race, condition and outlook which are rapidly and inevitably leading to complete separation. The prevention of " dumping " undesirable elements in excessive quantities was the only justification for this restrictive legislation, but the methods of its application produce the precise equivalent of such " dumping " in Great Britain ; for there is no possible selection of the, best, " the right type of man," etc., without a corresponding selection of the worst for the Mother Country.
The mischief reaches much farther. Not only have the crowded inhabitants of Great Britain special rights in the empty or half-empty lands of the Empire, but the inhabitants of all the crowded countries, upon broader grounds, possess general rights in the utilization of the undeveloped areas of the world of which the British races possessed themselves of so large a share. The present administration or reservation of these world assets takes no account of the needs of other nations ; it is upheld by force, with small regard to reason or justice ; it constitutes the gravest menace for the future, all peace pacts notwithstanding.
In the case of the Pacific Dominions, whose need for immigrants is palpable and overwhelming, it is still not too late to redress this many-sided evil ; but the first essential condition is that we in England should not close our eyes to its existence.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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