THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 19

THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

Ik ALIANS IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, December 22. ki.e recent arrivals of considerable numbers of Italian immigrants, while 400 more are due next week, is causing much outcry against unrestricted immigration while unemployment is rife throughout the commonwealth and the land hunger amongst prospective Australian and British settlers is far from satisfied. The claims made on behalf of the Italians are that the great bulk of them are agriculturalists, and will prove a valuable asset ~to the development of the country. The State Government considered and rejected a scheme to establish an Italian colony in New rscuth Wales. It is understood that the Government's immigration policy will be restricted as tar as possible to British subjects. The Labour organisations, who are strongly opposed to any scheme for unrestricted immigration, have circularised British and European organisations informing them cf the present industrial, stagnation, the rifeness of unemployment, and the parlous outlook for immigrants in Australia. The Italian Consul has announced that if employment is not available for next weeks arriials he will advise their return. He has also warned the Italian authorities of the condition of affairs. REPORTS .DISCREDITED. LONDON, December 21. The Australian Press Association learns from the Italian Embassy that the vast majority of Italian migrants to Australia have been nominated by Italians alreadysettled in the Commonwealth, and chiefly working on sugar plantations in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Tlie migrants travel direct from Italv by Italian steamers. The migration is ivuervised by the Italian Emigration Com-.iio-sion, which ensures that the migrants are assured of work or possess adequate means of sustenance pending emplojirml. The Embassy discredits the reports toat hundreds of Italians are without * irk, and states that it has received nc < omplaints of unemployment or other * \rd ship among Italian migrants who «o not settle in the towns, but are essentially rural workers, and are, therefore, the tvpe of settler which Australia seeks. The Migration Department at Australia House disclaims responsibility for Italian migration. AUSTRIAN IMMIGRANTS. LONDON, December 8. In the House of Commons, the Trades Facilities and Loans Guarantee Bill was passed through the committee stage. In the course of the discussion Lieu-tenant-Commander Kenworthv suggested that parts of Australia and South Africa could be set aside for Australian emigration, in which case Australia would find the Austrians better than the Japanese.