AUSTRALIA’S EMPTY SPACES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19667, 8 December 1933, Page 13

AUSTRALIA’S EMPTY SPACES

PROBLEM OF POPULATING THEM An Interesting contribution to a much-discussed topic—the empty spaces of Australia—has been made by the new Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Bernardini), who arrived in Sydney recently after an overland tour from Western Australia. Although he has been only a few weeks in Australia he has been able to discover that the great island continent is underpopulated. That, as a matter of fact, was his first impression of the Commonwealth, and it is still the most vivid impression his mind has received. He is satisfied, too, that Australia is a land of opportunities. He did not expect to find the traditions one finds in older countries, but he has seen enough to satisfy him that the people had done wonders ii. a very short time. “It is easy to say you need population,’’ said the archbishop, “but it is not an easy problem. There are dlfflcuties on all sides, when I come to think of it. There are political difficulties, economic difficulties, national and international difficulties. Perhaps later on these will be settled. But it may be appropriate to apply a certain philosophical motto which reads: ‘First live; then act,' because at some time Jt may be a question of life and death to increase our population. Then all these considerations, economical and political, will take second place. I don't think Australia is at that point, nor do i know that she is likely to reach it, 1. t if it did come to the time when it would be necessary to live as a nation apart, then all other considerations would become very, very secondary. “Assuming chat all the difficulties facing the absorption oi a larger population had disappeared, I would then say to Australia to act vigorously, be not afraid, and benefit from the lessons • other countries. For instance, study America and what happened In that country. Avoid the mistakes made in American immigration, but take advantage of the good results obtained ! there. One thing is certain—that /merica as a melting pot has been very successful. The last war showed tb t in America there is a national spirit, strong and wonderful, solid and deep German Italian, and French—all are now 100 per cent. American. The greatest mistakes the Germans ever made was to believe that during the w ir the German-American would be a German first and an American afterwards. ‘Therefore, I say to Australia do not be afraid when the time comes, because the second generation will he Australian. Just as the second generj ation in America is American There is no need to fear that Australia will lose her love for England. America fought a bloody war and broke aw»y from Fnglani ut the English emissaries in America are more powerful to-day than all the others put together. America has not, and cannot, lose her ! English sentiment. Australia may put I on an Australian collar, but there will .il ays be a deep attachment for the 1 Mother Country