WEST AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 769, 18 March 1910, Page 5

WEST AUSTRALIA.

ITS CHIEF NEEDS. CAPITAL AND POPULATION, , " By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrleht London, March 16. The Lord Mayor of London (Sir John Knill) presided at a luncheon to th» Hon. N. J. Moore, Premier of Western Australia, at the Fishmongers' Hall. There were one hundred and twenty-five guests, including Sir Gerard Smith (Governor of West Australia from 1895 U 1900), Sir Charles Lucas (of the Home Office), the Hon. C. H. Bason (Agents General for West Australia), Mr. E. T. Doxat (chairman and managing director of the London Board of Dalgety and Co, Ltd.), Mr. Nivison, Mr. Arnold, and Mr. Dooktte.

Admiral Sir Frederick Bedford, exGovernor of West Australia, presided. In proposing the health of "Onr Guest," Sir Frederick said that Mr. Moore's record as a Premier would be quite as worthy by comparison as that of any of his predecessors. He referred to'tha great growth of West Australia's agricultural possibilities, a state of ihingi ■which was in a great' measure due to Mr. Moore's work.

Mr. Moore, in replying, said he, was highly gratified by the presence of tho commercial, banking, and mining sections of ,the West Australian community. Perhaps the most important duty of th» West Australian Government is to arrange for immigration., In that direction he hoped to be able to cooperate. Sir George Beid, Australian High Commissioner, said West Australia desired to encourage Englishmen 'and. Europeanr prepared to go on the soil and to assist in developing a great territory. West Australia wanted capital and population, and, added Sir George, "she must look t» the Old Country for these." ■ '■ , In proposing the health of the chairman, Sir George Eeidsaid he must emphasise Australia's need of immigrant?, which would be a far. better investmenl for Great Britain than money!