WEST AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15552, 9 March 1914, Page 9

WEST AUSTRALIA.

PROGRESS OF THE STATE. INDUSTRIES FLOURISHING. AUSTRALASIAN ' DEFENCE. AN AGENT-GENERAL'S VIEWS. ' Some interesting details of the progress made by West Australia during the past few years were given to a Herald representative last night by Sir Newton James Moore, K.C.M.U., Agent - General in London for that State, who arrival from Sydney by the Maiheno. Sir Newton stated that when ho became Premier of WeNt Australia (about eight years ago) they were importing their foodstuffs and gram— from New Zealand. Now their output was over 14,000,000 bushels per year. The. gold output, which had been declining, increased last year by £150,000. and dividends by some 12 per cent. The timber industry was also booming and considerably over £1,000.000 worth per year was beinjj exported. West Australian jarrah was recognised throughout the engineering world as. one of the best, and markets had now been secured for it in India, South America, South Africa, Europe, the eastern States of Australia, and in New Zealand. The Government was now erecting State mills to cut tbo kauri, from which a considerable number of poweliised sleepers were- to be used with jarra-h sleepers in the construction of the trans-continental railway. Success of Immigration Policy. The success of West Australia's immigration policy was referred to by Sir Newton. When he went Home as" Premier in 1910, he said, he recognised that with a territory of 1,000,000 square miles and a population of only 250,000, it was essential to turn attention to the peopling of the State. The matter was gone into, and very favourable terms were offered to immigrants. The result was that in the first year 5000 assisted immigrants went to West Australia. Siuce then, approximately 30,000 had left the Old Country for tie same State. Last Year one vessel "was despatched from England, which alone took out 1450 assisted emigrants. That, at the time, constituted a record from any British port to any of the colonial ports. A gratifying feature in connection with this immigration policy was that the immigrants were nominating their friends and relatives for passages out at the rate of 100 per week. Speaking as to the inducements offered to immigrants by the West Australian Government. Sir Newton said domestics were only required to put down £2 towards their passage money. The rest was done for them. There was a lady supervisor in London, and, on arrival, suitable arrangements were made for their reception, and continued interest was taken in {heir ; future movements. A home was provided where they could go if out of employment and until fresh work was secured. Selecting Men for the Land. There was also a labour bureau, where the names of both employers and employed were kept on record, and these particulars were sent Home to the State's London agency every ' month, .so that friends and ' relatives . there could always keep trace of immigrants by calling and inspecting these lists. ' ' The \ same , procedure i was • adopted with respect to all assisted immigrants. At present encouragement' was given to men willing to go on the land. As a matter of fact, every man going out to West Australia as an assisted immigrant signed a ■ paper to the effect , that .he had been advised that there would probably be no work for him in the towns, in which case he would be prepared to go on the land. Land and Naval Defence. Sir Newton is largely interested in defence matters," having done some 20 years of military service, and, as a lieutenantcolonel, he is at present officer commanding "the Australian Intelligence Corps (West Australian division). He staffed •that ho- had always been strongly in favour of compulsory training. It was very gratifying to him, after three years' absence at Home, to find that l&e scheme of defence formulated by Lord Kitchener had been brought into force in Australia j with comparatively little friction. Discussing naval defence, Sir Newton : said Australia's policy seemed to commend itself to the people of the Commonwealth, though there were those who would suggest that for a monetary contribution to the Imperial Navy the country might ihave been able to obtain the same service at a reduced cost. He thought that, possibly, a joint Australian) and New Zealand navy would be advantageous to both. . "I think that all Australians and New Zealanders had reason to be proud of what we have done in the direction of naval defence," said Sir Newton, "whilst the whole of the other Dominions have been talking of it."