The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1931. AUSTRALIAN EFFORTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18406, 13 August 1931, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1931. AUSTRALIAN EFFORTS.

The efforts which Australia is making In order to meet her economic difficulties are well set out as given by Professor Copland, the Professor of Commerce at the Melbourne University. He says that the position of Australia does not differ from that of other countries of primary production, except for the fact of Australia’s being hit with exceptional severity. It is perhaps natural that every country should think Its own misfortunes to be the greatest, and certainly Australia is full of sympathy with itself, and overlooks what she has done to increase the disaster that would have befallen her under any conditions. Australia has been exceptionally unlucky in the possession of Mr Lang, whose antics have attracted the attention of the whole world and diverted their attention from the efforts of the rest of Australia. In the other States there has been a definite and very considerable effort to meet the changed conditions. The Professor points out that a drastic reconstruction is taking place throughout Australia. The Government expenditure is to be cut 20 per cent, and wages and salaries to be cut to the same extent while new taxation to large amounts Is imposed. The basic . wage of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court has fallen 23 per cent. These are very definite and large contributions to a reconstruction of economic conditions. They are not all brought about by legislation or compulsion. According to a cable to hand the movement towards the conversion of existing bonds to a lower rate of interest has met with great success. The applications for conversion of bonds have been very great, and are evidence of the patriotism of Australians, who voluntarily accept a reduction of income to assist the country. Every nation has its marked characteristics, and we are told also that in Sydney the first Slate lottery has been opened and was rushed to such an extent that pedestrian traffic in two streets was completely blocked and that, while women predominated, there was a large number of unemployed men. The gambling spirit is strong in Australia; it is created by physical conditions. A man may take up a stretch of country and with favourable climate make a fortune in a few years, or with unfavourable may lose a fortune as soon. How many men born and bred under such conditions avoid the spirit of adventure, chance, and gambling? There seems to be no doubt that Aus- . tralia will overcome her difficulties and ;■ march once more on the road to prosI perily; but it would be well it site could learn something from the ■ disasters which have overtaken tier at the present lime. For years past observers from abroad i and students in their own country have pointed out the lopsided development 1 which lias taken place there, tn a country of such tinge size Hie existing 1 population have concentrated upon Hi' i development, of a small corner, and > have neglected Hie greater part of ’ this immense area. It lias also been 1 a religion witli them to exclude coloured peoples. They have given the world the greatest illustration it has

ever had of the dog-in-the-manger policy. The “ White Australia ” is a policy which could be approved and even applauded if efforts had been made to develop their great heritage; but instead of doing this the inhabitants have concentrated on having a good time and keeping it to themselves. The Northern Territory is a standing disgrace to the government of the country. There are immense areas of this country which are elevated, and healthy and attractive to white people. They are not settled, nor has anything been done to settle them. What trifling population there is in the Northern Territory is scattered round the sea coast, doing no good for itself or for Australia. One of the troubles of the present day is the excessive borrowing, which has been indulged in during recent years; but this borrowing has not provided any transport for this area; it has been centred round the overgrown cities in the south-eastern corner, and as if this were not enough to encourage the concentration in cities there has been a policy of high protection which has favoured the town at the expense of the country. The pathetic belief in the efficacy of one citizen taxing another is more evident in Australia than in any other country. What Is wanted to develop Australia tls not peculiar to that country—it may be found elsewhere —reduction of costs of all kinds to enable the primary production to be carried on at a profit. It Is doubtful whether Australia will ever achieve this. Protection has been carried to lengths that have led to the investment of much money in plant, and the absorption of much labour in industry, and it Is not by any means certain that these conditions can ever be reversed. If they persist, Australia will remain undeveloped. How long in a circumscribed world which consists of overcrowded tropical countries and unoccupied tropical countries, can these conditions be maintained? The British Empire would be enormously Increased and strengthened If the population could be spread. This can be but a very gradual process, but, at least, the movement might be taking place slowly. Unfortunately neither Australia nor ourselves are doing anything in this direction. We have so managed affairs that with wide spaces calling for development we are unable to assimilate more population; we have difficulty in providing for those here now. In centuries to come, when the history of these times is written, there will be infinite amazement at the ineptitude of generations, who with ample opportunities were unable to provide reasonable conditions of lite for large sections of their population.