A LABOUR SQUABBLE.

Feilding Star, 23 July 1907, Page 3

A LABOUR SQUABBLE.

A PECULIAR PRESIDENT. t&I MLSOtMV TBUSOBATfl — OOPJCttIGHX.j [PJU FBBSB ASSOCIATION.] Received July 23, 10.26 a.m. Sydney, July 33. The Immigration League resent the action of Dr. Arthur, toe President, . in writing letters, some of which, they allege, are too roseate lined, in regard to the prospects of emigrants. Matters reached a crisis over a let. ter sent to the Secretary of the Victorian League, in which Dr, Arthur suggested the placing of pamphlets containing information about the States aboard mail steamers, in which he says:— '♦Don't mix up immigration and land settlement in your pamphlet. In an immigration book everything must be couleur de rose: no hint of difficulty about getting land. You needn't be afraid you will be rushed. Even when Queensland offered cheap farms in London there was only one applicant. As regains land settlement for home (Victorian) consumption, you can oe as pessimistic and indignant as you like. The blacker the better, though don't get too much on that line. What is the use of inviting immigrants here when we have nothing to offer them. That would choke off subscriptions. Anyhow, don't do anything to frighten off immigrants, because competition for them is so severe in Europe, and even if the conditions changed for the better in Victoria, you might find that it was of no avail, as you had given the place a bad reputation " The League asked Dr. Arthur to refrain from seeking re-election as President. Dr. Arthur declares that the letter was a private one, and that he/wa» giving Bis counsel in colloquial terms that nothing should be done to retard the movement. He did not mean to suggest that people should be deceived. Melbourne, July 23. The Federal Government is interested in the trouble, because some of the money voted by Parliament last year had gone to different portions of the Immigration League. Ministen recognise the good. work which has been done by Dr. Arthur, and is inclined to think the he allowed his teal to run away with his discretion. Nobody, they say, wants immigrants to come here in ignorance of conditions. The State Acting-Premier, commenting on Dr. Arthur's methods of attracting immigrants, said that he utterly disapproved of any method which will not bear the closest scrutiny. The position should be stated exactly as it exists, and then no new comer can say he was. deceived either by painting things too attractively or by suppressing facts.