EMPTY AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 966, 5 November 1910, Page 5

EMPTY AUSTRALIA.

LABOUR AMD IMMIGRANTS. AN ASSERTION AND A REPLY. By Telceraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Roc. November 4, 9.20 p.m.) London, November 4. The Glasgow "Citizen" has published an articlo with sensational headlines, alleging that the Australian Labour party is arrayed against any increase of immigration. Sir Georgo Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, in a letter'in reply quotes Mr. Fisher's statement in the Houso of Representatives on September 7 in disproof. ME. FISHER'S ATTITUDE. In his Budget speech of September 7 Mr. Fisher said: "The Commonwealth is unlike any other Government in the matter of immigration. It is absolutely helpless, except in so far as it can ask people to come to this country. Here are the facts: The Commonwealth has been advertising Australia, and the various States have been cutting into each other more or less. The High Commissioner is in London fairly well equipped, and the Minister for External Affairs is endeavouring to present the case for Australia beforo the people of ■ Europe more effectively, and to induce people to come here. They will be welcome here, and always have been welcome. There has been an almost inconceivable denunciation of the Labour party in that respect. No party has been more ready or willing to receive people from Europe; no' body of men moro than the unionists of Australia has been more ready to give them a, .hearty welcome. But the unionists undoubtedly desire to see the conditions here such as were prescribed by Judge Higgins, who is uot a politician. When 1 immigrants come here, they should .bo able •to earn enough .to enable them to keep themselves and their families in a reasouable state of comfort as human beings living in a civilised community. Subject to that condition there is no party more ready and willing to see this conntry populated."