1928 - Annual Convention

              32 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
The Three Thousand B r i t i s h Families Scheme, by which B r i t i s h families
with little or no capital of their own were settled on the land under super­vision
of the Government, has proved very successful and w i l l be continued,
but the report adds: " Canada would benefit by immigration to a much
greater degree i f capital more commonly accompanied the settlers." Also,
" that the extension of such settlement schemes depends not on any d i f f i c u l ty
in securing good B r i t i s h families, but rather on providing land for settle­ment
and loans sufficient for buildings, stock and other equipment." British
immigrants seeking passage assistance are called upon to show that they
are i n good health, of good character, are literate, and also that they belong
to the agricultural or houseworker class.
The regulations applicable to B r i t i s h migrants who pay their own fare,
relates only to health, character and literacy. The migrant from the B r i t i sh
Isles does not require a passport, and is not called upon to pass any occu­pational
or money test.
A special movement from the B r i t i s h Isles which promises to become one
of the most important branches of immigration work is a movement of
B r i t i s h lads between 14 and 17 years of age. These lads come from their
own homes. They are carefully selected overseas, are given passage assist­ance
and are brought out under special organizations created for that pur­pose.
The lads come to distributing f a rm centres in Canada, and from
these are placed in good f a rm homes. The usual wages paid them during
the first year are $ 10 per month and keep. Their wages, except a small
regular allowance, are collected by the organization and deposited in the
bank for the lad, and turned over to him with accrued interest when he
reaches the age of 18 or 19 years. It is hoped to extend and enlarge this
branch of the work u n t i l B r i t i s h lads moved under this arrangement will be
counted not in hundreds, but in thousands. Arrangements w i l l be made to
assist and advise them in acquiring land for themselves when they have
shown their fitness.
D u r i n g the past year 21 B r i t i s h boys received f a rm t r a i n i n g at the A l b e r ta
Schools of A g r i c u l t u r e.
U n l i m i t e d acceptance and placement of f a rm workers and houseworkers
f r om the B r i t i s h Isles will be the government immigration policy for the
future, and first place is given to the movement from the B r i t i s h Isles.
In the federal report on immigration mention is made of the services
of the voluntary organizations in Canada whose purpose is to assist the
newcomer. It states: " These organizations undoubtedly do valuable work in
g i v i n g the stranger advice a n d ' a helping hand after his a r r i v a l in Canada,
and just when he needs help most. An extension of such voluntary help to
a l l the new settlers, regardless of the country from which thev come, would
be very helpful to the settlers, and would undoubtedly provide a new
impetus to future immigration."
In regard to continental immigration, the regulations require that these
persons, besides being otherwise fit, shall be admitted only on the ground
of occupation, being farmers, farm- workers or house- workers, and others
are admitted on the grounds of relationship, of parents, unmarried children
and unmarried brothers and sisters. The interest displayed on the part of
European countries in the opportunities presented by Canada for their
people has become notable, several delegations, mostly of government re­presentatives,
having during the last year visited Canada inquiring into
a g r i c u l t u r al conditions.
The number of families coming f r om Europe last year possessing capital
of $ 1,000, or more was 363, and the total amount of capital brought bv these
people was $ 706,571.
Immigration during 1927 amounted to 143,991, of which 50 378 came
f r om the B r i t i s h Isles, 21,025 from the United States, and 72,588 from other
countries.
L t . - C o l . Amery, British Secretary of State for the Dominions while
speaking on his Empire tour, specially stressed Inter- Empire relationship He
stated that the people of Great B r i t a i n were ready to co- operate in every
way possible in building up a greater Dominion possessing immense natural
resources and requiring only an energetic population. He verv strong- lv
emphasized partnership and co- operation with the Empire