63

A.—4

(7.) All settlers receiving assistance under any of the above schemes to be subject to selection and approval by His Majesty's Government and by the Government of the Dominion concerned. Preference to be given, as far as may be possible, to ex-service men. (8.) As a part of this general scheme of co-operation, the Dominion Governments to make special arrangements for the reception, distribution, and initial supervision of British settlers, who should, as far as conditions permit, be given preferential treatment over foreign immigrants. His Majesty's Government on its side to undertaketo make the necessary corresponding arrangements for furnishing information and advice, and for carrying out any policy with regard to oversea settlement and emigration that may be agreed upon. These proposals were approved of by the Conference, the representatives of the self-governing Dominions expressing the view that they contained a generous offer on the part of His Majesty's Government and represented a sound and practicable scheme. It was clearly understood that the offer was conditional upon the full financial co-operation of the Dominions concerned as regards both land-settlement and assistance in respect of passages. The Conference passed the following resolutions : — (1.) " That this Conference recommends the proposals appended to the minutes of its meeting of the 4th February (i.e., the proposals given above) to the most careful consideration of the Governments of the Empire for discussion and final decision at the forthcoming meeting of Prime Ministers." (2.) "That in cases where money for expenses overseas is advanced to settlers from Government funds, the money should be paid to the oversea representative in this country on the settlers' account and transmitted overseas for payment to the settlers on arrival." (3.) " That the bonus system (i.e., the system, of recruiting settlers by means of per caput bonus payments to third parties) should be abolished as from the Ist July, 1921." (4.) " That it is desirable, in order to emphasize the distinction between the movement of British subjects within the Empire and emigration to or immigration from foreign countries, that such expressions as ' oversea settlement,' ' Empire settlement' or ' British settlement,' ' oversea settlers ' or ' British settlers ' should be used in connection with the movement of British subjects within the Empire in preference to ' emigration ' or ' immigration,' ' emigrants ' or ' immigrants,' these latter expressions being confined to movement to and from countries outside the Empire."