ITALIAN GRIP ON QUEENSLAND CANE FIELDS TIGHTENS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7242, 13 June 1930, Page 7

ITALIAN GRIP ON QUEENSLAND CANE FIELDS TIGHTENS

Millions Worth Lost to Britishers t. . TOWNSVLLE’S DERISIVE *■■ ANSWER TO MINISTER United Press Association.— Bj Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Thursday, 5.25 p.m. SYDNEY, June 12. A message from Townsville, Queensland, states that, derisive comment lias been occasioned by Hon. E. M. Horde’s statement that there vas .no risk of Northern Queensland becoming Italianised. Local statistics disclose that tme * -whole sugar industry north of Townsville is in the hands of aliens. As an instance of the steady growth of the alien population in Northern Queensland it is stated that in the Ayr oistriot forty-three cane farms valued it £1,500,000 have passed from British to Italian control or ownership. Italians arc working on the community basis. Sixty farms in the Tully district which hitherto had been leased to British subjects have also passed into the hands of aliens.

Mussolini’s Home Truths Times Cable. Received Thursday, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, June 12. The news from Queensland has naturally caused some irritation in Italy. Writing in “Popolo d’ltalia” under ■the heading ‘‘Egotism Overseas” Arnaldo Mussolini, the Duce’s brother, declares that the agitation against Italian labourers is symptomatic of the attitude of the Dominions. Australia is a big country and work in the interior is disliked by Australians, nor will thoy allow other people to do it. The British unemployed do not care to go either to Australia or Canada. They prefer to remain in England and receive the dole. This is contrary to the old noble traditions of Britain.

A cable yesterday said that the delicate situation on Queensland sugar plantations, where there is considerable frietion between Australian and Italian workers, was somewhat relieved to-day by a statement made by Mr lb M. Horde, Acting Minister of Customs, lie said there was no riA. of Northern Queensland becoming Italian-a.-ed, for at least 75 per cent of the mill and field workers were British. There was no danger of the embargo on imported foreign sugar being lifted, said the minister. The Federal Government’s policy was adequate proteclion for the local sugar industry, which would enable the white race to settle end develop Northern Queensland. Mr Horde' expressed the hopo that the employers would give preference of ■employment in cane-cutting gangs to British workers.