ADVANCE AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 11 February 1926, Page 9

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA

"FINEST COUNTRY I HAVE

SEEN"

LORD BURNHAM'S TRIBUTE

VIRILITY AND VITALITY OF

PEOPLE,

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian-New Zealand Cable Assn.) LONDON, Bth February.

One of the finest and most comprehensive tributes paid to Australia was made by Lord Burnham in an address to the Royal Colonial Institute, under the heading, "Australia as I Saw It." Lord Burnham admitted at the outset that it was impossible in eleven weeks to see thoroughly, much less to understand, the Continent. Australians were rightfully indignant at the summary judgment passed by short-term tourists, which was rather like an attempt to write « history of America after half an hour's talk with a negro porter in a Chicago hotel. For some reason or other, Australia was always unduly de^ predated in the opinion of the world, chiefly because it had not learned the American art of advertisement. Very few other than Australian-born realised how good Australia was—not merely "good enough," as Australians often said.

"Australia is the finest country I have ever seen, for size, climate, and immunity from most of the ills to which humanity is heir," continued Lord Burnham. "From the point of view of geology, Australia may be the oldest of the continents, but in everything else she is extraordinarily young. Her only tradition is a web of youth, which she has only had for a century. Australia is bound in another century to be one of the great Powers of the world. Some say they, can distinguish between the speech of the people in the various States. To a stranger, however, the difference is not distinguishable." SPLENDID PHYSIQUE. Physically, Australia was developing a type bigger than the English, Lord Burnham said. He had never witnessed a better display of manly length and strength than the Anzae Divisions. Undoubtedly the Cornstalks were justifying their name. The length of limb was more noticeable among the bushmen than in the cities. The ;people rejoiced in splendid health, Lord Burnham said. Though convictions for drunkenness had increased, there was no evidence of excessive drinking. Australia was one of the greatest teadrinking nations in the world. Eleven o'clock tea was a fixed national habit. Unquestionably! they were 'a high-liv-ing people, and liked substantial and plentiful meals. They were great meat, butter, and fruit eaters. They insisted upon prime quality and plenty of it. To parody an old Chartist doggerel, he found everywhere, "Eight hours' sleep, eight hours' play, eight. hours' work, and eight meals a day." The standards of morality were no lower than in England, and the decencies of life were rigidly insisted upon. It was often said that gambling was the principal vice of Australians, but the numbors of people attending races' was no test of gambling. Australia leads the way in facilities for pleasure. The racecourses were better laid out than any in England, providing . the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Clergy often attended races, and prominent people were associated with the management of race meetings. The cricket grounds were sensibly planned.-. Personally, said Lord . Burnham, he did not want to see livelier football than that provided under the Australian rules in Melbourne.

He saw Australians cutting sugar cane in Queensland, and it seemed the most exacting and most exhausting work he had ever teen whites undertake. When they meant business, Australians were tremendous fellows.

Lord Bsrnham concluded: "Only by fostering secondary industries can Australia hurry up population. The life is not feathered somnolence. It is brisk, hearty, or joyful, full of adventures, diversities,, and opportunities. It is a happy country, with superb climate, immense reserves of virginal wealth, and unrivalled ia tb« virility and vitality of its people." " HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPLY. Sir Joseph Cook, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth, said he had never heard a paper on Australia which he liked more. Lord Burnham had demonstrated, even in things which he had criticised mildly,' that Australians were British, through and through. The cost of production might be higher,, but one must remember the difference in overhead charges. It was true the Australians gambled, but that was because they were British, and it did not prevent their working people owning their own booses and having the largest individual savings bank accounts'in the world. It was true that the price of sugar was higher than the world price, but the cane-cutters got £2 a day. The price was not excessive for the best sugar in the world, and the keeping of our own kith and kin' in the tropics—a man who when the time came would be of infinitely better service to the security of Anstralia than the blackfellow would ever be. Sir Joseph Oook said, regarding migration, that Australia could All up j quickly if wanted. There were nations i all over Europe anxious to go, who ' did not ask Australia to do anything for the migrants when they got there. Sir Archibald Weigall, former Governor of South Australia, said that he had always asked critics, "Do you realise what Australia has accomplished in a hundred yearst" He added that Australians were absolutely supreme in the provision of the world's highelass wool, while, in addition, to material things,'they had acquired appreciation of art, music, literature, and science. Those who hated humbug and hypocrisy would Eke Australia.