A WHITE MAN'S LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18547, 3 November 1923, Page 13

A WHITE MAN'S LAND.

* NORTHERN AUSTRALIA. BRITISH V. ALIENS. ABLE TO HOLD THEIR OWN. |>BOM OUB OWN COBRESFONDENT.] V, SYDNEY. Oct. 24. . Apropos of the 'White Australia" policy, under which all coloured races are t excluded ' from Australia save those persons who were domiciled here prior to this legislation, and a few who are admitted under special trade agreements, much controversy has raged round the question of whether the northern portions of the continent, where tropical conditions exist, are suitable for white settlement. Advocates of the introduction of cheap coloured labour on an indenture system or contracts for specified periods of years, have strenuously contended that the white man is constitutionally unfitted to develop thai part of Australia, and that it is a mere dog-in-the-manger policy to exclude those able to do so. Medical opinion has been much 'strengthened by recent research in the view that the white races are not only fitted to develop the northern areas, but are able themselves to thrive under the conditions and produce a sturdy type. The matter is interestingly dealt with in the Commonwealth health pamphlet for the current, month. In this it is stated that it can fairly be claimed that, after a generation's trial, the white races can live and work in the tropical areas of Australia without the labour of the coloured man. The next question that arises, the pamphlet states, is, which branch of the white races is best suited for this tropical life, and, in particular, can the people of British stock hold their own with the others "The answer," it proceeds, "is of vital importance to the British race. After a century of immigration, 98 per cent, of the population of Australia is still composed of the same, stock as that of the British I*Jes, and there is every desiro among Australians themselves to keep this preponderance in the future. So much so, that if it could be shown that people of our own race must here give way to other European ces, it may bo doubted whether the very policy itself of 'White Australia' would long survive. "Queensland claims 95 per cent, of the total tropic dwelling population of Australia, the major portion of whom are scattered along the coast north of Bockhampton. In all the centres of population up to and including Townsviile, the British race predominate absolutely. No comparative test is possible until we reach the sugar districts north of Townsville, where the climate is more or less of a pronounced tropical character. Here we find a considerable number of Italians, and smaller numbers of Greeks, Spaniards, Russians, Maltese. nd other nationalities, who generally keep together in small bands. Individual members of the Teutonic and Scandinavian races are also scattered along the coast. The Eastern races have been represented chiefly by Chinese (once present in considerable numbers), and in a lesser degree by the Japanese, and by the natives of India, the latter chiefly from the Punjaub. All these different people have been employed at some time or other in the work of the sugar industry. "At the same work and under the same conditions during the past 20 years men of the British race have worked alongside and in competition with each and all of them. On tho whole the British gangs bead the list against all comers. The cane inspectors, whose business it is to supervise this work and to know intimately the capabilites of all the dfferent gangs, are practically unanimous in holding that the speediest and toughest of the cutters are British. They are the most independent, however, and sometimes cause trouble. Hence the preference which has somtimes been accorded to other nationalities. The term British is used irrespective of whether the men are born in Australia or in the Britsh Isles. The British proved that in speed and stamina ' thty were the equal of any other race, and certainly superior . in intelligence and adaptability." ; ". ~...„,;,