§ 14. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that in the text of the agreement enterd into between the Imperial Government and the Commonwealth Government regarding the immigration of persons from the Motherland there is no stipulation that such immigration shall be restricted to nominated immigrants, he will reconsider his decision that immigration into Australia of British nationals should be restricted to nominated persons?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREMy hon. Friend is apparently under some misapprehension. There is no restriction on immigration into Australia such as his question would imply. He presumably has in mind the Press statement that the New South Wales Government has decided to discontinue assisting adult immigrant settlers other than nominated persons. The decision as to what classes of immigrants should be financially assisted at any particular time is obviously one for the Government which is in touch with the local conditions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I was referring more to the answer given to me the other day with regard to the nomination system; and is he also aware that the policy which the Secretary of State has formed of emigrating nominated emigrants is contrary to the Empire Settlement Act and contrary to the view of the House of Commons when that Measure was passing through the House?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think, in answer to that question, I must impress upon my hon. Friend that, if we are to succeed in a policy of Empire migration, it is absolutely essential that we should not only look at it from our own point of view in this country, but also from the point of view of the Dominions, and secure the most harmonious co-operation between the Overseas Governments and this country.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWe all know that.