QUEENSLAND

NZ Truth, Issue 524, 3 July 1915, Page 3

QUEENSLAND

W NORTHERN TERRITORY

In and Around Cloncurrv

ARTICLE NO. 12.

THE CALL FOR PIONEERS. In a recent issue one of the leading newspapers ' of Australia > makes some pertinent references to the burning question of the prosperous settlement of a white population on the rich lands of Northern Australia, hitherto abandoned to the kangaroo rat, and the few thousands of aboriginals who are still permitted to pitch their mia-mias m the wilds of the land which gave them birth, and to occupy themselves m hunting- for an existence. "It says little for Northern Australia," observes that Australian contemporary, "that after 90 years of painful effort Governments should still be calling for pioneers. For nearly a century the North has been a 'Land of Promise,' a country admittedly rich m natural resources, a grave for good men, and a sink for good money." NEGLECTED TERRITORY. What is here said of Northern Aust ralia as a whole— or perhaps with special reference to the Northern Territory, now administered by . the Commonwealth under the direction of Dr. Gilruth — may be said with equal truth of North Queensland, than which, throughout the whole of the wide, wide world, it would be difficult to find a similar expanse of splendid territory so greatly culpably,, and unaccountably neglected. WANTED ENTERPRISING AMERICANS. The writer, who has enjoyed i exceptional opportunities of extensive travel m many lands, especially m the King's widely scattered Dominions bej'orid the Seas — including every State m Aus-

tralasia — and who knows a good deal by personal experience and long residence about the conditions of life and labor m the- Northern and Northwestern portions of Queensland, heartily endorses the oft-repeated wish of

tention. Speaking 1 some little time ago at a banquet of the Australian Natives' Association, the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Andrew Fisher, M.H.R., P.C., said: "There is one aspect of the defence question to which •we must address ourselves soon. I refer to the question of the peopling of this continent. (Applause.) People were the best line of defence. If we had sufficient numbers to enable us to stand the strain of defence, then, indeed, we could relax our preparations, if anything. But here is an empty and fertile continent, and abroad there are people with the land hunger stirring within them. . I am afraid that we are not paying the attention we should to that supreme question of filling up Australia with the people of our own race and kith and kin." (Applause). SHREWD AND CAREFUL OUTSIDERS SPEAK. Not only are our own statesmen now fully alive to the value of North Queensland as a field for the successful planting of wliite colonies, but shrewd and careful outsiders who have visited Australia "to spy out the land," and take note of the marvelloutf progress made by the inhabitants, without exceptibn bear similar testimony, nnd recommend similar action. Some time ago, for instance, the Dominions Commission — a body of Britishers of the

I highest scientific and commercial [ standing — visfted the Commonwealth to make themselves acquainted, by personal inquiries, with Australia and the Australians' way of "doing things." In due course these gentlemen issued a report embodying a number of recommendations which the British press unanimously - designate "important," and which will, no doubt, be considered with all the respect they deserve, and with careful attention by all who are interested m the advancement of the Empire within "the King's Domionions beyond the Seas." NORTH QUEENSLAND'S NEED OP IMMIGRANTS. One of these recommendations refers inferentially to North Queensland and the necessity for promoting suitable •settlement within its boundaries, and reads as follows: ''More immigrants are • needed to fill tropical and subtropical Australia. For this Malta seems to be a suitable recruiting ground. It would also" be advantageous to divert to Australasia some part of the Irish migration." "The most urgent problem m Australasia," say these British Commissioners,

concerns a better distribution of population and improved oversea communications. At present the Dominions are spending a great deal, with doubtful success, m their attempts to secure agricultural workers." They support a scheme of Mother Country- training for intending immigrants, and suggest that such a scheme, if adopted, ,• and carried out m, accordance with the views of the British Dominions Commission on these' and other points, incidentally referred to m their interesting report, should, and no doubt N will, receive all the consideration which their weight and importance demand. North 'Queensland is destined to be ultimately occupied by a hardy stock of prosperous white men.

The F.ollow the King business is simply a sober demand, made m war time and there is absolutely no kudos m it for the Temperance cranks. Many of the lank, sickly-looking lads of New Zee are never to be seen without a cigarette m their mouths. What can be expected from weeds but smoke?

many of its most thoughtful and observant residents that a few thousands of enterprising American citizens would make their homes there, and, by business-like use of American methods m every branch of industry, revolu-

tionise the state of things which exists m those districts to-day. AUSTRALIANS "WITH SMALL CAPITAL NEEDED. But what is even more wanted than Immigration from foreign white countries is a steady flow of population towards North Queensland, not only by those who can find no suitable outlet for their energies m the congested cities of Australia, but by Australians who possess small capital which they wish to employ to the best advantage. Both these classes will find there ample scope for energy and enterprise, for there are few lands, if any, where richer rewards await men daring enough to seek these. This fact, as well as the requirements of .national defence, evidently inspired the Prime Minister to make the following remarks, which supply an effective argument m support of "Truth's" con-