NEW AUSTRALIA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 28 May 1895, Page 4

NEW AUSTRALIA.

COMMUNISM AM ADMITTED FAILURE. Adelaide, May 24. A letter from Alexander M'Donald, leading member of the New Australia party, dated March 18, says that the attempt at Communism failed, and the failure proves that it only renders people more selfish. He claims that the settlers were at least not worse than average specimens of their respective classes, yet there is not one of them to-day but will admit that they degenerated under Communistic conditions. Ah recognised that something is wroug, and a decentralisation scheme is on the tapis, the object being to settle members of the association on land, individually or in groups, on the single tax principle. M'Donald says, though failure is admitted, there is no reason why settlers should nod form the nucleus of a successful colony in Paraguay. The climate and conditions are good, but want of f uuds is a drawback, and at least 50 per cent, of the settlers' labor was frittered away oa unproductive works. He speaks of the wheat crop yielding only a bustiel per acre, and adds that the settlers find it impossible to pay where so much clearing has to be done, even by those who have capital, but is convinced, they will do well ou the Pampas. The settlers are beyond actual want, though for some time the chance of making anything in the shape of hard cash has been very remote. In conclusion, he says those disappointed with the settlement continue to leave.