COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 52

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

AGRICULTURAL IMMIGRANTS. EARL JERSEY’S OPINIONS. THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. MELBOURNE, October 25. Earl Jersey considers that the six hatters incident had undoubtedly a bad effect in England. He drew a distinction between the people of other nations that Australia did not want, and those who wished to come here to make a livelihood, and who would greatly strengthen the country. Stagnation in population was hardly a thing for a good country with such immense resources and possibilities as Australia. He did not personally think much of General Booth’s scheme, and could not see how immigration like that would help the country. Australia required people who would take up land, and not merely augment its census. He did not think there was any deep-seated idea ill England that the capital lent to Australia was insecure. If the loans were consolidated and future borrowings regulated, Australia would be in a better position, and the Commonwealth would certainly be at no disadvantage unless something of an extreme nature was done.