GUARDING A GATE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 94, 16 December 1912, Page 4

GUARDING A GATE.

Referring in an editorial note to the great Northern Territory of Australia, Wellington’s ‘Evening Post’ says: When the Federal Government appointed Mr. J. A. Gilmth as Administrator, this was the beginning of a policy to guard a wide gate. Thousands and tens of thousands of square miles of fertile land lie there, coveted by yellow and brown races, ever waiting—waiting—with envy that increases as their millions grow. Proof that the white man can Uvo there is now

beyond question, but sctlleiuent has tarried. .Man dings to the broad highways and to the busy haunts, and he is ever sceptical about the fortunes

to be made far away from t lie pleasures of towns and cities and the electric cars. He has an inertia which has

to be overcome by force. Sometimes the force is economic pressure, and sometimes it is the power of persuasion (coupled with a subsidy). In the case of Australia the able-bodied men can make tidy livings within easy reach of the urban centres, and they are not eager to trek to the north, which they fancy is intolerably torrid and horrid. They arc doubtful aboui the reports of the laud and climate, and their aversion to move up into that little-known region has to m overcome by strong inducement, practically compensation. Therefore the Federal Government is wisely offering free farms, and is willing to assist the settlers in every reasonable way t< gat the necessary materials for fencing and cultivation. It is a splendid opening for the comparatively “smali man.” Every grumbler at the evils of land monopoly has a chance to test his mettle. oFrtune is in that lonely northern country, with many gifts fo: those not afraid of work. Thus, on r. frontier which has no guard worth the name, Australia hopes to have a phalanx of stalwarts, sturdy men who have made homes and are prepared tc light for them. This is a national policy in which New Zealand is necessarily interested. Australia has tr be kept white if Australasia is to be saved from the real yellow peril oi low-grade labour.