§ 16. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed last week at the Australian Premiers' Conference, held at Adelaide, asking the British authorities to create a suitable organisation to co-operate with the Agents-General to bring before the soldiers who contemplate emigration the advantages to them and to Imperial interests of making their homes in the Dominions, and to arrange with the State Governments for their immigration as they can be satisfactorily absorbed; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have seen in the Press a report of the resolution referred to, but it has not been communicated to me by the Government concerned.
§ 17. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the Prime Minister of Australia at York, in which reference was made to an expenditure of £20,000,000 by Australia in preparing farms for returned soldiers, and his suggestion that, if this country were to spend £200,000,000 in the same direction, such expenditure would go far towards solving the industrial problem after the War; will he say whether the Government have yet formulated any plan of Imperial emigration, jointly organised and financed by the Home and Dominion Governments, for the purpose of placing ex-soldiers and sailors in Australia and Canada after the War; and, if not, will he say whether the Government have any such Imperial plan in contemplation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have noticed the statement referred to. As regards the latter part of the question, I cannot at present say more than that the whole subject is receiving my careful attention.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are considering this in connection with the Bill which is in another place?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not know to what Bill the hon. Gentleman refers.