MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 2 June 1926, Page 9

MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.

Sir James Parr’s Criticism.

AGENT-GENERAL’S SMASHING REPLY.

By Coble—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association, (Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. At the West Australian dinner the Hon. H. P. Colebatch (Agent-Gene-ral for Western Australia) replied to the interview with Sir James Parr, appearing in “The Times,” in which the New Zealander stated that group settlement on a large scale may be possible in Australia, hut even there it had "failed badly, and the rest of the Australian scheme had gone down with a bump.”

Mr Colebatch said Sir'James Parr was speaking with insufficient knowledge of the scheme. Like all other great plans for land settlement, his had met with many difficulties, which were being overcome. The scheme had only been in operation three years, but already 2600 settlers covering a population of 10,000 had been placed on the land. He considered the result had been magnificent and fully justifying Mr Amery’s recent report stating: “The success far exceeds my most sanguine preconceived expectations. It is working out most hopefully, and promises to be one of the most hopeful ventures in a large scale Go-vernment-assisted migration.” . Mr Colebatch'added: “The West Australia Government and people have never been so absolutely confident of the ultimate success of the group system as the present. The Government view with enthusiasm with the Government whiclji initiated the scheme, and last week requisitioned a further seventy families. When the Commonwealth completes the arrangements which are at present under discussion, West Australia will take an increasing number of settlers. The majority of the present migrants are extremely confident and satisfied.”

BISHOP OF LONDON’S INQUIRY. ITINERARY FOR COLONIAL TOUR By Cable —Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Juno 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. The itinerary of the the Bishop of London’s Empire migration enquiry tour fixes arrival at Brisbane on February 5. The Commission will spend three weeks in Australia and then a fortnight in New Zealand, going back to Sydney on March 3, and travelling overland to Fremantle, where members will embark for Home.