GENERAL BOOTH'S PROPOSAL

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 222, 16 September 1905, Page 5

GENERAL BOOTH'S PROPOSAL

Australian Leaders' Views. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.i LONDON, September 15. The newspapers believe that General Booth's offer of 5000 families for Austr»-» lia next winter relates largely to country people who have drifted lnjo the towns. Xo unusual degree of distress in the agricultural districts is threatened. It is understood the offer is due to the Australian summer corresponding -with the period of distress in England, viz.. winter. MELBOURNE Septembar 15. Mr. Deakin, referring to General Booth's proposal, stated that he had had a conversation, when he was a private member, with the Salvation Army's leader, and the latter had indicated what his intentions were. General Booth had said he hoped to obtain blocks of Crown lands, either as grants or for ordinary payment, and to provide himself with sufficient capital to make his settlements successful. The scheme provided for co-opera-tion amongst the settlers, and advantage would b> j taken of any advances to settlers or legislation of that character existing in the State in which his people coot: up their quarters. He desired the Federal Government to help H the charter of transports, such as he had despatched to Canada. At no time had Lreneral Booth suggested any alteration of the Immigration Restriction Act. Hr. Watson says he thinks the scheme is entitled to the sympathetic consideration of the States. TWO STATES REPLY FAVOURABLY (Received 10.20 ajn.) SYDNEY, this day. The Cabinet has discussed General Booth's scheme, and as a result Mr. Carruthers has informed Mr. Deakin that he had two million acres of artesian country available clo>e to the railway which he wished General Booth's representative to inspect. The land laws would not be allowed to stand in the way. if the people provided were of the kind required. BRISBANE, this day. General Booth's immigrants will be welcomed to this State if they are of the right class.