AUSTRALIA'S EMPTY SPACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 9

AUSTRALIA'S EMPTY SPACES.

WHOLE-HEARTED ACTION URGED. A. and N.Z. LONDON, Feb. 16. The retiring Agent-General of Victoria, Sir Peter Mcßride, tendered a luncheon to welcome his successor, Mr. John McWhae, to-day. Tho Duke of Sutherland represented the Colonial Office.

' Sir Arthur Stanley, formerly Governor of Victoria, proposing the health of Mr. McWhae, commended the question of migration as one which Mr. McWhae might well make his special mission. The outer Dominions were comparatively empty, while Great Britain wa s comparatively overcrowded. These were conditions they must seek to adjust. There appeared to be some reticence, both on the part of the Imperial and Australian Governments, to take the matter up whole-heartedly.

Mr. McWhae said it would be his mission to advance migration, as Australians would not keep their continent empty any longer. Thanks to protection they had been permitted to develop and grow in wealth, and by the White Australia policy had kept the race pure. H e referred to the splendid work done by the institution of savings banks in Australia. There could be no Socialism in a country where three millions of its Inhabitants had savings bank accounts. He indicated that irrigation lands would be thrown open to British settlers, absorbing thousands.