EMPIRE MIGRATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 12 March 1936, Page 3

EMPIRE MIGRATION

AUSTRALIA’S PART

ABILITY TO TAKE SETTLERS

CAREFUL EXAMINATION NEEDED

MELBOURNE, 22nd February. Empire migration is becoming a live subject in . Australia a,s the shadow of the depression passes. At the moment, however, the question is being discussed locally in a spirit of resentment against the tenor of remarks made recently in England, by Sir Philip Gibbs, who, it is asserted,, has placed Australia in a world pillory because of its reluctance to increase its population by migration at a date greater than is considered, advisable : in the light of Australian geographical t and social •. conditions. ,

A suggestion that has found: favour among civic leaders in Melbourne is that tlfe British Government should be asked to send an expert mission to examine the position in Australia. A leader in this movement is Sir Stanley Argyle, a former Premier of the State, who returned from a visit to Britain only a few months-ago. As showing the need for a proper survey of the situation, lie said that authorities who had investigated the question of what population Australia could carry had produced figures ranging between 15,000,C00 and 200,000,000. “A careful examination of the physical features and climate of Australia is required,” said Sir Stanley. “Tile reliability, regularity and spread of the rainfall over the year is very important, because rain at the wrong time is not only useless, but is harmful. Moreover, a complete survey from the point of view of soil analysis has never been made.

“I am strongly in favour of an investigation of the subject of Australian migration by capable men—not by enthusiasts —and of some joint method by the various Governments concerned, such as Commonwealth, State, Imperial and other Dominion Governments. The British Government has just appointed a migration commission, and we want to ensure that that commission visits the Dominions.”

• The Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, in a cautious reply to an invitation to express his views on the subject, said this week: “f agree Hint there is a good deal of misunderstanding in Britain regarding Australia’s ability to take migrants'! What is required is a very clear knowledge of our ability to absorb population, and I have this very phase under consideration now. The problem cannot be solved without the most careful thought. Close attention must be given to every aspect. The Commonwealth Government at the. moment is giving it that thought and consideration.”