The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, MAY 28, 1923. A GIGANTIC SETTLEMENT SCHEME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18791, 28 May 1923, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." MONDAY, MAY 28, 1923. A GIGANTIC SETTLEMENT SCHEME

Australia is contemplating the establishment of an army in its great but empty Northern Territory. But it is to be an army making peace, instead of making war—armed with shovels and ploughs instead of cannon—housed in barracks, clothed like soldiers, fed by ration, and paid to keep Australia white! In other words, an enterprise designated the North Australian White Settlement Association has been launched “to concentrate Australia’s strength on the immediate occupation, development, and settlement of the empty north by British men and women.” This sounds like business, and according to Major-General Eames, who appears to be the founder of the scheme, it is a thoroughly practicable business which will prove as good and sound as it will be big. Evidently satisfied that there are no reasons why a white race should not live, work, thrive, and multiply in any part of Australia, including its tropical areas, the Commonwealth Parliament has

wisely adopted the policy of a White Australia. This policy lias been founded upon the deep-rooted conviction that purity of race is essential for the vzeli-being of the Commonwealth and in the best interests of the British Empire and of the white races. MajorGeneral Eames has based this gigantic settlement scheme on the assumption that the policy of a white Australia presents no difficulties beyond those of organisation, staff, time, and money. In the opinion of experts, he says, the settlement of tropical Australia by white races is a simple, straightforward commercial proposition. If that is the case, then, certainly, for the best of imperial reasons it should be carried out by persons of British origin—and without delay. The vast Northern Territory—9oo miles long . by 560 broad—has an assured rainfall of many inches a year over a large area of the country, two-thirds of which lies in the tropics. It has a sea coast of 1040 miles, indented with many fine harbours and rivers, some of which are navigable for shallow-draft vessels many miles into the country. Its climate is said to be healthy, with ordinary precautions. Its soil is capable of producing most tropical products, and its coastal waters abound in fish. “With all these wonderful potentialities for productive wealth, there it lies, empty and undeveloped, with only JOOO resident white persons, a few days’ sail from the most thickly populated markets of the East.” In a published interview Major-General Eames says: —“A British occupation of the territory could be accomplished within a reasonable time on a sound commercial basis, provided the operation is entrusted to private enterprise in the shape of a co-operative association equipped with powers of local government. Of course, conditions must be granted that would prove attractive to British immigrants, especially freehold land tenture, and terms of assisted immigration such as have been granted to the various Australian {States. Then, again, creature comforts, such as can be obtained in the large centres of population, would be essential, so as to obviate the discomforts which residence in all tropical climates entails. These could be secured by placing the immigrants in community settlements, equipped with power, light, water, and sewerage, irrigation works, freezing works, and provided with good communications, regular services, amusements, and education facilities, including medical and nursing services.” To advance matters j in connection with this big scheme to the stage of a commercial proposition, an estimate of cost was prepared by a gentleman who had a special knowledge of the Territory, combined with the capacity for carrying out such a complicated piece of work. The estimate covered the cost of placing 100,Q00 British men and women immigrants in community settlements at points of vantage around the coasts of the Territo.’y, which were to be selected for occupation for commercial reasons, in addition to being essential for defence purposes. The estimate involved a large capital expenditure, -which, it is claimed, would be recouped in a period of years. The inducements to bo offered to a settler arc: Free passage to the Territory; free clothing, quarters and care; free education in tropical agriculture; and an allowance of 3s per diem on a co-operative agreement for three years, with the grant of a free-hold farm and house, equipped with every modern convenience at the conclusion of the agreement, in exchange for his labour, which was to ’ be employed in the building and equipI ping of community settlements, rail-

ways, and other works. This estimate I was reviewed subsequently on the supposition. that the Imperial and Federal {Governments would grant similar terms | of assisted immigration to those which they had granted the States, and from this it would appear that * a sum of £25,000,000 would be required to placQ 100,000 British settlers in the Territory, and to provide them with all modern comforts and conveniences. It i is estimated that this would be recouped in a term of years and that meanwhile the settlers could look forward ! to owning freeholds and houses of the value of at least £lOOO as the result of three years’ work, with a prospect of a good living under attractive conditions and a share in the net profits of the undertaking. This return is figured as equivalent to an average wage of £7 8s per week for the pioneer settler during his three years’ engagement, in addition to maintenance, clothing. Amongst the works which Major-General Eames considers the • scheme would facilitate is the long- ; dreamt construction of a north-south 5 railway across Australia. The cot--1 ton industry would also be strengthens ed by the settlers’ produce. From I figures supplied to the Government, by L the end of nine years the organisers L hope to have made a revenue of £23,- ‘ 750,000, and have placed 95,000 set--5 tiers on the land. A detailed plan 1 of each of the nine years’ operations 3 and expenditure has been prepared, > and is at present assisting the Govcrn- : ment’s deliberations. The Sun credits ’ Major-General Eames with having drawn his plans up in detail and pre--1 sented some vivid arguments in their 3 favour.