DUTCH IMMIGRANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15513, 21 January 1914, Page 13

DUTCH IMMIGRANTS.

COLONY IN VICTORIA. [from our OWN correspondent.] Sydney, January 15. It is not unlikely that a Dutch colony will be founded in Victoria. Recently the Governments of Holland and Belgium appointed Mr. J. van den Brenk, a Dutch journalist, to visit Australia and make inquiries as to the best field of immigration for the people of those countries. In consequence of his representations, the Victorian Government has set apart 3000 acres on the Lauderdale Estate for the expected Dutch colony to be formed by Brenk, and as much more land as may be required from time to time. "I have been for some months in Australia," Mr. Brenk told a newspaper representative, and have been struck by the great possibilities Victoria offers to Dutch agriculturists. Canada is doing her best to induce Dutch-speaking people to emigrate from Holland and Belgium, and there is a Canadian agent in every town. Many Dutchmen go to Canada, and some to the United States of America, and the Argentine. The Argentine has not made great efforts like Canada, but there are five Dutch colonies in Argentine, with an aggregate population of 6000. That has been accomplished in ten years. In Holland and part of~"Belgium there is a Dutch-speaking population of 11.000.000 people, occupying land only a quarter the size of Victoria. Forty per cent, are farmers' sons, or men connected with farming, and there is an agricultural population of 2,500,000. Ten per cent, are dissatisfied with the existing conditions. I They want more land, and on better terms."