28 FEBRUARY 1936, Page 2

Empire Emigration

Any" degree of economic recovery in the Empire increases the prospects of a revival of emigration. The appointment of the Overseas Settlement Board, recom- mended by . the . Inter-Departmental Committee on . Migration Policy, is evidence of the Government's desire to assist in such a revival. There are several reasons why the Board should fulfil a useful function. The failure of Government schemes in the past, and the success of the small communities established by private and volun- tary organisations, will be some guide to future policy. More promising is that the Dominions themselves, under the influence of economic recovery, are beginning again to -see the advantages of migration, • It is satisfactory to know that the Board will be competent to advise the Dominions Secretary on methods of assisting Empire development which will make emigration possible and attractive. One condition of success will be a right decision as to the direction, agricultural or industrial, Empire development should take in the future, and in making this decision the co-operation of the Dominions is essential. The economic aspect of emigration is so fundamental that it must come first in the Board's con- sideration.

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