The Grey River Argus MONDAY, June 28, 1943. AUSTRALIA’S SURVIVAL.

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1943, Page 4

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, June 28, 1943. AUSTRALIA’S SURVIVAL.

When doubts of Australia’s l ability to remain entirely a white man’s country appear in the American press, the reasons for raising the question arc probably several, and not merely, as mentioned, the near proximity of live hundred millions of Asiatics, and prvsence of as many more not much further away. Just now Australians are busy on the political as well a.s the military front considering the immediate, defence and the immediate future of their count ry, but they have long ago come to a decision on the racial question, and that decision is probably one reason why they are now keener about thein proximate than about their more remote future. If the Brisbane Line strategy had seen the greater part of the country abandoned to enemy occupation, it is conceivable that the question of the colour line might have been settled for all time. The American papers point out that it actually might have been settled by this time had not the United States come to Australia’s rescue. Incidentally it was primarily or logically the attacks, not on Australian, but on American territory that led up to the Japanese menace to Australia, so that the enemy might" even now argue that such menace arose entirely through the necessity of fighting America. Anyway, America’s entry into the war had seemed inevitable, and from the standpoint in particular of the other Allies, it came only the better as it came the sooner. But America could not, in its own interest, have afforded to have let down Australia, whose appeal was largely inspired by that knowledge. But the American suggestion now appears to be that Australia must be content to admit at least to some of its territory people of another colour. America was herself made progress far more by immigration than by any other single factor. She has demonstrated a now people’s capacity to absorb men of all nations, there being possibly only a single clement in 'the United States social organisation which remains difficult of digestion. Naturally enough, it is the coloured element. It hardly would become Americans therefore, to specify a particular colour for Australian immigrants, although it is conceivable that the press commentators may have in mind Indians, if not also Chinese, but it is hardly likely they are thinking of Africans. When Australia’s future is contemplated in regard to Asia’s millions, it suggests a thought also for New Zealand’s future in the same regard. One thing, at least, seems to he indicated, and that, is the necessity for a faster increase in the population of both of these dominions, first b’y means, of the birthrate and secondly by immigration. An average family of fewer than three children will at most do no more after a few decades than to maintain the present level of population, although the trebling of the Maori race within a couple of generations suggests that they might modify calculations. Australia’s need is ; certainly not, from a developmental viewpoint, a further influx merely of industrial workers who would congregate where cities already are too big. Thus it is to countries or people of a type suitable for rural development, that attention should be given. The war has at least opened up more of the country, and familiarised many thousands of young townees in. the forces with country life, which should be all to the good. Yet the Asiatics, except the Japanese, who are only a tenth of the total, are not aggressive, so that the risk, apart from '.Japan, is not .what these numbers might sug-

gest. In tlj'p Indies a comparative handful Cof the Dutch have ruled and Employed a native population si® or seven times as numerous as population. Therefore, Australia, not only now has Papua, but also bec»se she might shoulder a greate’lgshare of the “white man’s burden,” may after the Avar revise ii'Ua degree the White Australia policy. But she also will have an opportunity, in some degree, to emulate the United States and CancifcHjvopcning her doors for an iiflHMVxi. Europe to which the to give rise. Taking a own grlowth, must recognise the of distribution, alike and in opportunity, hasten the decentralisation policy lately devised. Newcomers of a wide variety would?fit into a diversified rural econonW who would in the city be only!, an incubus. After Europe, then next most likely source of population is possibly India, and ill will be no surprise ffio see this'jpecome a question of practical politics.