ENCOURAGING IMMIGRANTS

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13482, 23 July 1907, Page 5

ENCOURAGING IMMIGRANTS

A STRANGE POLICY.

PAINT EVERYTHING ROSE-

COLOUR !

INDIGNATION AROUSED.

United Press Association. — By Electric

Telegraph. — Copyright. (Received July 23, 10.25 a.m.) • SYDNEY, July 23.

The Immigration League resents the action of Dr. Arthur, the president, in writing letters some of which they allege are too roseate-hued in regard to the prospects of emigrants. Matters reached a crisis over a letter sent to the secretary of the Victorian League, in which Dr. Arthur suggested the placing of pamphlets containing information about the States aboard mail steamers.

The letter says: "Don't mix up immigration and land settlement in your pamphlet. In the immigration book everything must be 'couleur de rose' — no hint of difficulty about getting land. You needn't be afraid you will be rushed. Even when Queensland offered cheap farms in Londono there was only one applicant. As regards land settlement for home (Victorian) consumption you can be as pessimistic and indignant as you like^ — the blacker the better; though don't get too much on the line, 'What is the use of inviting immigrants here when we have nothing to offer them?' That would choke off subscriptions. Anyhow, don't do anything to frighten off immigrants, because the competition for them is so severe in Europe ; and even if conditions changed for tho better in Victoria, you might find that it was of no avail, as you had given the place a bad reputation.'' The League asks Dr. Arthur to refrain from seeking re-election as president. V " r> " f Dr. Arthur declares that the-- 'letter was a private one ; that he was- giving his counsel, in colloquial terms that nothing should be done to retard the movement. He did not mean to suggest that people should be deceived.