WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15257, 18 March 1910, Page 7

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

AN IMPORTANT GATHERING

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-C opyright.

LONDON, March 16

The Lord Mayor of London presided at a luncheon given in honour of the Hon N. J. Moore, Premier of Western Australia, at the Fishmongers’ Hall. Among the 125 guests present were Sir Gerard Smith, Sir C. Lucas, the AgentsGcncral and other woll known colonials.

In proposing Mr Moore’s health, the Lord Mayor said that liis record as Premier would ho quite worthy of comparison with that of any of his predecessors. He referred to the great growth of Western Australia’s agricultural possibilities, which in a groat measure had been due to Mr Moore s work.

Mr Moore, in reply, said that ho was highly gratified at the presence of the representatives of tlio commercial, banking and mining sections of tlie Western Australian community. Perhaps the most important duty before his Government was to foster immigration. In that ho hoped to bo able to co-operate with Sir George Reid. His State desired to encourage Englishmen and other Europeans who were prepared to go on the soil and assist in developing tho country. His great territory wanted capital and population, and it must look to tlio Old Country for them. In proposing the health of tho chairman, Sir George Reid emphasised Australia’s need for immigrants, who would be a far better investment for the Old Country than money.