AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 167, 24 July 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION.

An Injudicious Aovocate. Press Association— Copyright. Sydney, July 23. The Immigration League resent the action of Dr. Arthur, president, in writing letters, some of which, they allege, are too roseate hued as regards the prospects of emigrants. Matters reached a crisis over a letter sent to the secretary of the Victorian League, in which Tr. Arthur suggested the placing or pamphlets containing information about the States aboard mail steamers. It says: *' Don't mix up immigration and land settlement in your pamphlet. In the immigration book everything mus* be couleur ed 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 wae only one applicant. As regards land' settlement for home (Victorian), consumption you can be as pessimistic and indignant as you like—the blacker the better—though don't get too much on the line of' What is the use of inviting immigrants here when we have nothing tp offer them?' That would ohofce 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 ohanged for the better in Yictoriayou might find that it was of no avail, as you had given the place a bad reputation." The League ask Dr. Arthur to refrain from seeking re-election as president. Dr. Arthur declares that his letter was a private one, and that he was giving his 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 has gone to different portions of the Immigration League Ministers recognise that good work has been done-by Dr. Arthur, and are inclined to think he allowed his zeal to run away with his discretion. •' Nobody'' they say, *' wants immigrants to come here in ignorance of out conditions." The State Acting-Premier, commenting on Dr. Arthur's method of attracting immigrants, says: "I utterly disapprove 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 had been deoeived either by painting things too attractively or by suppressing facts."