Governments Take Measures to Promote Migration

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

A number of measures have been adopted in different countries with a view to promoting migration, according to the “Monthly Record of Migration,” issued by the League of Nations. The Austrian Government, which has for a considerable time been suffering from a severe unemployment crisis, is continuing its efforts to find openings for its emigrants and has concluded agreements with Germany to facilitate the reciprocal use of employment exchanges and with Argentine on the subject of workmen’s coinpensation. It has also been in negotiation with Brazil and Paraguay. Some financial assistance is now given to emigrants from the unemployment insurance fund towards the expenses of the journey.

Among the immigration countries Canada continues to display considerable activity, and numerous schemes have been put forward for the purpose of attracting immigrants. A Royal Commission, which has been examining the situation in the maritime provinces, believes that more can be done to promote settlement there than has been the case hitherto. Steps are also being taken in Kenya Colony to encourage closer settlement and thus to induce a larger number of British immigrants to go there.

In Italy it has been decided to place emigration affairs more directly under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and, in connection with this change, a declaration of policy was made by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Chamber of Deputies. The question of finding increased openings in Italian colonies is attracting special attention.

New regulations have been issued in Brazil governing the admission of immigrants to that country.

The 1926 statisties for several countries show an increased emigration from Great Britain, this increase being entirely to other parts of the Empire, a decrease in the number of returning migrants and consequently an appreciable increase in net emigration. From the Irish Free State emigration was practically the same as in 1925, but there are fewer returning migrants, so that in this case there is also an increased net emigration. In Austria emigration decreased somewhat. In Palestine immigration, which in 1925 showed a big expansion, returned to the normal in 1926, and emigration increased appreciably; the net immigration was therefore below the average for recent years, the “Monthly Record” states.

Scholarship aid totalling in value approximately $200,000 has been offered for placing Russian students in American Catholic schools and colleges, it is announced from the head-quarters of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, New York.

Prof. Edmund A. Walsh. Vice-President of Georgetown University, who is President of the Association, is now abroad making arrangements for bringing the first of these Russian students to this country. The number of available scholarships which can be filled at once will depend upon the resources put at the command of the Association, it was stated.