STATE OF VICTORIA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 194, 12 May 1921, Page 5

STATE OF VICTORIA

EULOGY BY BRITISH MINISTER

EMIGRATION TO DOMINIONS

By Telegraph—Pres* Association— Copyright

London, May 10. Sir Peter M’Bride (Agent-General for Victoria.) gave a luncheon to Mr. W. M’Pherson (Treasurer of Victoria) at the Stationers’ Hall. Mr. Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for the Colonies), in proposing the health of the guest, said that he rejoiced to see Mr. M’Pherson in London. He represented what was called a small State of the Commonwealth, but Victoria was nearly as large as Great Britain. Australia had sent many distinguished men to this country, including the guest, and. sonic of its great men were engaged in playing cricket. Mr. M’Pherson was Victoria’s Chancellor of Die Exchequer, and in that capacity he had seen the rise and fall .of several fiscal dynasties in this country. He compared more than favourably until his contemporaries, in that he had not imposed any new taxation. Victoria had exerted herself admirably in the matter of settling ex-ser-vice men. The work done in this respect was most invaluable in the British Empire’s policy. It taxed Britain to let the men go, but she knew they would come back when the need arose, as they did the last time when the Motherland called. Britain could not build on foundations more deep than in sending out the best of its patriotic manhood to form homes far away from this small island, which still was the main prop of the civilisation of tho world. As long as Victoria sent representatives as competent as Mr. M’Pherson, so long would its credit stand high in London. Mr. M’Pherson, in replying, congratulated Mr. Churchill on becoming Colonial Secretary, wliich was sure to be advantageous to the Dominions. He assured Mr. Churchill of a cordial welcome if ever he was able to visit the Dominions. Tho Prince of Wales’s visit and the sympathy he manifested went a long way to bind up the wounded spirits of those who suffered through the war. Mr. M’Pherson generally outlined the Victorian finances, and pointed out that the increased revenue of the State was the result of the people’s prosperity rather than increased taxation. Ho believed the taxable limit had been reached, and to go farther would retard industrial development. The fact that in the past few years they had raised loan moneys locally was evidence of the people’s desire to help themselves. This process, however, in a country needing development had its limitations. They had spent six millions in settling soldiers on the land. Of the 9000 provided for only 1 per cent, had turned out failures. Despite contrary reports, the Australians did not win the war, but did just as the Britishers did —their duty—and did it well. The Government desired to interfere as liftle as possible with private enterprise, except where public interest was imposed on. Victoria’s industrial policy was to supply its own requirements as far as possible and become -self-reliant. There was ample room for millions of additional population. The duty of the Imperial and colonial authorities was. to keep the emigrants within the Empire. His Government appreciated the liberality of the British authorities over the good wool purchases in war time. He thought the bankers, though adversely criticised, had taken the correct view with regard to the exchange difficulties. He hoped the authorities in Britain would do their utmost to secure for Britain as much as possible of the trade now flowing from America to Australia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.