C. NEw Zzaranp.
103. The ordinary passage rate is the same as that to Australia,
but the assisted passage for an adult is only about £11. Immigra-
tion into New Zealand is at present based almost entirely on
nomination, which may be for industrial as well as agricultural
work.
XII. CHECKS UPON MIGRATION
104. We doubt whether the tendencies illustrated by the figures
of migration set out in Appendix I have been fully appreciated
either by the public here or in the Dominions. To restore the
post-war figures of migration from this country to the average of
some years before the war, even for a couple of years, would make
an immense difference. It would take us too far afield to examine
in detail all the explanations that are given to account for the falling
oft, and for a short statement of the factors which act ag checks
upon migration we must refer to the Annual Report for the year
1927 of the Oversea Settlement Committee* recently issued, which
briefly describes the chief explanations usually given. We wish,
however, to supplement very shortly what is said in that report
about certain of these explanations.
105. The first explanation advanced is the general economic condition
at home and in the Dominions. Tf ig frequently maintained that in
normal times, over a decade or two, migration tends to be at
its highest when trade is brisk and development is proceeding. If
this explanation were conclusive for all time the trade difficulties
that have been experienced at home might account for a reluctance
of our own peoples to move. But, in fact, trade conditions in the
Dominions have by contrast with our own been relatively pros-
berous, and yet this fact has not attracted an increased migration.
Is it, then, the fault of our own people? The answer is short ;
there are many more people applying and ready to apply for
assisted passages overseas than the Dominions are prepared to
accept. There is not an agency, official or unofficial, which hag
not experience and knowledgs of many who wish to go, men and
families of all types, and who cannot go because they are held to
be ineligible for assistance owing to the conditions laid down by the
Dominion Authorities. and they cannot afford to pay for them-
salves.
106. This leads us to a second reason assigned for the falling off
in migration, the cost of the passage from this country to the over-
sea dominions. Passage rates of £18 135s. to Canada, of £37 to
Australia or New Zealand, are, after the economic conditions at
home of the last few years, prohibitive for large numbers of en-
tirely suitable migrants, especially families, wha are anxious to
* Cmd. 30881998.