CHAP. 111] THE CONFERENCE OF 1911 1533
beneficially or otherwise, and by what methods consistent
with the existing fixed policy of each part the trade of each
part with the other mav be improved and extended.
A rider to this resolution in effect is that (xxi)? on (g) the
All-Red Route, which runs :—
That in the interests of the Empire it is desirable that
Great Britain should be connected with Canada and New-
foundland, and through Canada with Australia and New
Zealand, by the best mail service available.
for it was agreed that in view of the impossibility of Australia
co-operating in any existing scheme, the matter could well
be discussed by the Royal Commission.
(kh) Emzgration and Labour Exchanges
On June 9 the question of Emigration! was discussed, and
Mr. Burns was present to represent the Local Government
Board. Mr. Fisher formally moved the re-affirmation of the
resolution of the Conference of 1907, that it was desirable to
encourage British emigrants to proceed to British Colonies
rather than to foreign countries ; that the Imperial Govern-
ment be requested to co-operate with any Colonies desiring
immigrants in assisting suitable persons to emigrate, and
that representatives of the Dominions be nominated to the
Committee of the Emigrants’ Information Office. Mr. Bat-
chelor supported the resolution, and Sir Joseph Ward
was also in favour of it, while Mr. Malan, on behalf of South
Africa, and Sir Edward Morris, on behalf of Newfoundland,
were ready to support it. Mr. Burns, in reply, laid before the
Conference a series of figures indicating in the most interesting
manner the great change which had taken place in the nature
of emigration in the last ten years. In 1900 the percentage
of emigrants from the United Kingdom who went to parts of
the British Empire was only 33 per cent. ; in 1906 it had
risen to 54 per cent. ; in 1910 to 68 per cent., and in the first
four months of 1911 the proportion had risen to nearly 80
per cent. Moreover, the numbers were very large ; in 1911
the total emigration would probably amount to 300,000,
+ Cd. 5745, pp. 198-206; 5746-1, pp. 216-23.
rt
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