§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the sum proposed to be allocated by the Victorian Government for the relief of British migrants settled in that State and the number of migrants covered by the proposal; if he is aware that the suggested terms of settlement by the Victorian Government are not acceptable to the migrants; if he is satisfied that the terms are adequate to meet the needs of the migrants; and if he has communicated to the Victorian Government his concurrence with the suggested terms of settlement
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe proposals adopted by the Commonwealth and 343W Victoria Governments cover the cases of 271 United Kingdom migrants. They include provision for effective settlement on the land where that is possible, and where that is not possible, or where the migrant does not desire to remain on the land, for remission of debts due to the Crown and cash compensation to an amount not exceeding £500 a family. It is estimated that the total sum involved will be about £400,000. I realise that the proposals are not acceptable to certain of the migrants, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, after the most careful consideration, reached the. conclusion that the arrangements proposed constituted, in all the circumstances, a reasonable adjustment of a very difficult matter. My right hon. Friend is pressing for an early settlement of the matter and the necessary legislation is now under discussion in the Victorian legislature.