AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 16, 19 January 1921, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMS

CONFERENCE OF AGENTS-

GENERAL

(UNITED PRSSJ ASSOCIATIONS—COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTRAUAX-JJEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 17th January.

Senator Millen and Mr. Percy Hunter (Chief Immigration Officer for Queensland) met the Agents-General of Australia, at an Immigration Conference. All wove present except Sir Peter M'Bride (Victoria), who was absent owing to illnuss. Senator Millen submitted the resolutions of tho Premiers' Conferences at Melbourne in May and July, and asked whether the Agents-General had received instructions from their respective Governments to act upon the reso-

lutions.

Sir Timothy Coghlan stated that he had been. definitely authorised to comply with tho resolutions.

Mr. Hunter said ha had written to his Government, and was awaiting a reply.

Mr. Lucas (South Australia) stated that his Government had agreed to the general terms o£ the resolutions, but he was not informed how far the Stete was committed as regards permitting the selection of immigrants by the Commonwealth.

M-r. Ashbolt (Tasmania) said he was instructed to co-operate with the 1 Commonwealth.

Mr. Moss said that West Australia had instructed its Agent-General to cooperate generally, but had reserved to tho Agent-General the final selection of immigrants. : •

A letter was read from the secretary of the Victorian Agency stating that the Victorian Government would gladly co- ■ operate. Senator Millen, summarising the statements^ said it appeared that Queensland and South Australia were uncertain, although they were- not hostile. West Australia's attitude had created a distinct class. West Australia's retention of the final selection meant maintaining a, separate emigration staff in London. He suggested that they should obtain further advices from Brisbane and Adelaide. Meanwhile the Commonwealth was prepared to go ahead if the four ■States agreed to co-operate. ■-

' It. was decided to adjourn till Monday, pending the receipt of definite decisions, from Queensland and South Australia.