71

A.—6a

with orphan and destitute children. In addition, the Dominion Government are anxious to stimulate the migration of children and juveniles proceeding as members of families, and have agreed, as explained in paragraph (C) above, to extend the free grant at present given to children going out under the auspices of approved societies to children going out as members of families, as well as to children anil juveniles preceding their parents under any other approved arrangements. Schemes for dealing with children and juveniles of tho last-mentioned class are at present under discussion with the Government of the Province of Ontario. Australia. A beginning has been made in regard to child migration on similar lines to the existing system in Canada, but the Australian representative considers that juvenile migration is better adapted to the local conditions of Australia, and hopes that that form of migration will be developed to the utmost possible extent. Schemes are already in existence in most of the States of Australia for the reception, placing, and supervision of boys between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. Under these schemes the State Governments accept responsibility for the boys, plaoing them at agreed rates of pay under approved farmers in the country districts and keeping them under careful supervision. The bulk of the wages is deposited regularly to tho credit of the; boys in tho State Savings-bank. At the end of their apprenticeship the boys will be helped to settle satisfactorily upon the land with a view to becoming independent farmers. If thrifty, they should by this time have a sum of about £100 to their credit in tho Savings-bank. (G.) Public-school Boys. Canada. With a view to stimulating tho settlement of public-school boys and others of a similar class, the Dominion Government will consider the possibility of arranging with the Agricultural Colleges of Canada to offer free courses annually to a certain number of students from this country, and will make efforts in other directions to encourage the movement of this class. Australia. With the same object in view, it is hoped to arrange at an early date for scholarships in agriculture to be awarded to selected boys in this country who would proceed to Australia and enter an Agricultural College or training-farm in the Commonwealth. Steps would be taken to establish these boys as independent farmers under the existing land-settlement schemes, or by means of the sharefarming system, or some other suitable method. New Zealand. The New Zealand Government will take twenty selected boys a, month and place them with suitable farmers for agricultural training. These boys will be under Government supervision throughout their training, and it is anticipated that suitable opportunities will be; available for their settlement in New Zealand at the conclusion of their course. Union of South Africa. The scheme of land-settlement referred to in section 111 will also deal with a number of new settlers of this class. (H.) Women and Girls. No redistribution of population can be effective unless it results in the settlement overseas of an adequate proportion of women and girls. Tho need of women for women's work in the household and as wives of the present and mothers of the future generations is urgent throughout the Dominions —most urgent of all in agricultural and newly developed districts. It is admitted that the numbers of women and girls who are proceeding overseas fall far short of this urgent demand. The Committee consider that all possible steps should be taken to stimulate) this form, of migration, but they would lay equal stress upon the necessity for the most careful provision being made for the supervision and after-care of women, and especially of young and inexperienced girls. They are glad to learn that women officers have already been appointed to assist in this work both in this country and overseas, and that steps are being taken to extenei the system. The following arrangements have been agreed with a view to stimulating the settlement of women overseas, viz. : — Every family proceeding under nomination either to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand will be; authorized, if they so desire and subject to the concurrence of the nominator, to include one additional woman, either relative or friend, amongst their number. Canada. A rebate of £6 from the passage loan will be granted in the case of women household workers who have satisfactorily settled on farms (see paragraph (C) above). With a view to stimulating the settlement of women of a class corresponding to public-school boys, the Dominion Government will consider the possibility of arranging free courses at the Provincial Agricultural Colleges in Canada for women students from this country. Australia. The Australian representative recommends a system of apprenticeship, with all necessary safeguards, for girls from fifteen to seventeen years of age on lines similar to the South Australian system of farm apprenticeship for boys. New Zealand. The Government already stimulate the migration of women by granting free passages to domestic workers, and additional concessions in respect of the fares of the wives of intending settlors with children. These arrangements are indicated in paragraph (C) above under the heading " Passages."