STATE GOVERNORS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 17, 15 October 1920, Page 7

STATE GOVERNORS

FAREWELL LUNCHEON IN LONDON AUSTRALIA'S BRIGHT PROSPECTS .By Telegraph-Frew Asioeiatlon-Oopyrlfhl London, October 13. Lord Lamington (nn ex-Governor of Queensland), the Countess of Stradbroke, Sir' Gerald Strickland (ex-Governor of New South Walea), Sir' George Le Hunts (ex-Governor of South Australia), Colonel. L. C. Aniery (Under-Secretary of State for tho Colonies), Sir Arthur Lawley (ox-Governoi J of Western Australia), Major-General Sir Harry Barron (ex-Governor of Western Australia), Mr. Andrew Fisher (High Commissioner for Australia), and tho State Agents-General attended a luncheon at tho Royal Colonial Institute to tho Earl of Stradbroke (the now Governor for Victoria) nnd.Sir Matthew Nathan (the new Governor of Queensland). Sir Arthur Sfanley (the retiring Governor of Victoria) was absent owing to being indisposed'. Mr. Layden, who presided, intimated that the Institute intended shortly to admit women to Fellowship. In proposing tho health of Lord Stradbroke, he paid a tribute to his work in national defence and' fisheries. Sir Matthew Nathan had hold most important posts under the Crown. He was going to a State where, in many difficult problems his knowledge would prove of grfeat value. Lord Stradbroke, in reply, said he was going out to Australia with the keenest interest. Ho hoped to meet many friends he had mado during the war. Australia g-tvo of her best in tho war, and he was confident she would do her part in the general reconstruction which was going on in the world. Australia would become a power in the world, and he believed her power would go on in- . crossing because of hor resources. Ho had learned that Australians did not give up the whole of their time to finance, . but found some timo for sport. _ He wa6 fortunate in going to Australia when her prospects were so bright. Ho would do his utmost to benefit Victoria.

Sir Matthew Nathan compared the development of tho States of America with' these of Australia. The former ransacked Europe for cheap labour, and had secured a heterogeneous population; Australia had gono more slowly, and had not sacrificed tho wealth cf the future to the wealth of the present. From his experience, the coloured raws applauded the firmness with which Australia maintained: the Whits Australia doctrine._ Tho maintenance of n high standard of living naturally called for advanced legislation and administration, and the schemes developed in Queensland would be watched with keen interest in the Old World. It remained for Australia to see that the whole continent was irrigated, and that no drop of wnter needed for tho land should entor the sea.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. '