RELATIONS BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 28 September 1918, Page 5

RELATIONS BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA.

RAPID DEVELOPMENT PREDICTED. V

GREAT TRADE POSSIBILITIES

WASHINGTON, Sep. 26. Mr Lane, Secretary for the Interior, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, said he was: delighted at Ausibralia's decision to establish offices in America. Such a step would be a tremendous advantage to Australia, whose possibilities the- United States was only beginning to realise.; "We. regard Australia as a full brother, and our relations' during the next, few years will improve, nipre rapidly t!han during the ■•last,-''•fifty.-yefetrs. The Anaacs 5 magnificent work in the war has forged a link jWith ourselves which will never be broken. One year hence we probably, will have four million of our boys on the West/front-; mixing with Australians, thus understanding one another better .and strengthening the common ties. The Panama Canal brings Australia nearer in a shipping sense1, and greatly ; increases the ; ; possibilities for trade. ■; We expect Australia to co-oper-ate with us in developing this commerce. Mr Hughes' bnjliant speeches and activities have madetliim one of the most prominent visitors tot'this side of the Pacific, and his efforts on behalf of Australia will have far-reaching results I- am, deeply intere&ted in Australia's timely plans for repatriation after the war and the work of the British Immigration ..League. America.is contemplating similar measures, and applying a 1 million 'dollars to the preliminary programme."—Aus.-N.Z. OabXe Assn Mr:|fednaa^lSecretar^ of Commerce; said that eihce Mr Hughes' visit and his announcement of Australia's, intention to have special representation in the United States, the officials in Washington haVe taken greatly increased interest /in the possibilities of trade between Aiistraha and America. "I believe Australia's waste spaces are capable of great development. Forty years ago we had large tracts of country pronounced to be desert- and absolutely worthless. This land now represents several prosperous States. Australia by the application of scientific methods of development and greatly increased population^ can expect similar results, Uhie plans to repatriate soldiers after the war should help to provide a rural population,, as the majority of the men will hot return to city avocations. More people will be attracted to Australia by the increased trade through the Panama Canal. One of our first tasks, as soon as ships are available, will be the removal of Australia's tremendous surplus of wheat. "The visits..of Messrs Hughes, Cook, and Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will lead to a better understanding. lam hopeful that: return: visits of American statesmen will be paid to Australasia."