MILLION FARM SCHEME.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1128, 13 August 1921, Page 2

MILLION FARM SCHEME.

AUSTRALIA’S BIG AIM.

In referring to Sir Joseph Carruther’s project for placing a million farmers upon a million farms®by means of a fund of .£30,00*,000, to be raised jointly by Australia and Great Britain, the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Cook) stated in a speech that Senator Millen, while in London, placed before the British Government a proposal that they should lend £25,000,000 for a gigantic, immigration scheme. Unfortunately, the money could not be obtained.

Britain, said Sir Joseph Cook, had far greater difficulties than they had in Australia, and was now endeavouring to fund a huge floating debt. He was unable to get money for public works. It was true that Mr Storey while abroad had done so, but only at high rates. The Government realised that everything possible must be done to fill the empty spaces of Australia, added 'Sir Joseph Cook, and he fully agreed with the project for the settlement of a million farmers. At the same time, it must be realised that it was entirely a question of finance.

The Government would be most happy to assist immigration in every way, knowing that the extra people coming in would assist to lighten the national burdens. They now had only one farmer to every nine or ten of the people,* so that if they could get a million mor eof them it would mean a vast influx of people, and the financial position would become much easier. Mr Hughes was giviing the question close attention in Ehglind.