A LORD’S LAMENTATIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1032, 27 October 1903, Page 2

A LORD’S LAMENTATIONS

LONSDALE AND AUSTRALIA. t (Pcr R.M.S.. Ventura at 'Auckland

(Per Press Association.) San Francisco, Oct. 7,

Lord Lonsdale, who with his wife and suite recently arrived here from Australia in the course of a four of tho world, has been interviewed regarding his views about Australia. He said, among other tilings, ■ the following “It is quite true that the conditions in Australia, resulting entirely from the political situation, are unsatisfactory and alarming. The Labor party, which is tho dominant power in Parliament, has been enacting laws which are a distinct disadvantage to tho country, aud will have a doloterious effect on the progress aud prosperity of the colonies. I should say if the Australian colonies want to take a lesson in development they should look to America. This nation has led tho bountries of tho world in rapid advancement. I am not now speaking of your colonies, however. The Australian Parliament has enacted laws that are really disastrous. They have an eighthour law in effect like some other countries, but they have carried it too far. They make it apply to the hotels and every avenue of industry. Tho result is that a man anxious to work hard and make money cannot do it. The law stifles industry. They have apprentice laws which are simplv preposterous. No father can teach his son his trade or business. Ho must apprentice him to someone else. It is a monstrous thing. The Government, at the same time, is topheavy and over paid. These are only a lew of the many things that add to tho deplorable condition. They are now talking of making Australia a White Country. The scheme contemplates the elimination of all colored labor of whatever race or breed from tho colonies. Sueh a thing cannot bo done in Australia. The country is too young. Iu some sections there is no other labor available. Cheap labor is needed to conduct successfully the sugar and other industries.”

The result of this is that the progress and advancement of Australia is being seriously retarded. No. man of .capital anil sense will go near the country. As for federation, I

should say thftt it is a good, thing, or ought to be, but there is large room for feforin and improvement. Instead of having one Governor for each colony appointed by the Crown, one Governor-General for the Communwe.alti) ought to be a sufficient head For the ’Government. All the revenues of the Government are at present being eaten up by .office-hol-ders, and I never heard ol‘ such wild scrambling for political jobs with princely salaries as now exists in Australia.

Lord Lonsdale said that he had not been able to keep in touch with recent British affairs, hut lie chatted freely of current topics of interest, “ Russia,” he said, “is playing an interesting game in the Far East. You ask me if Russia has the grab irons on Manchuria, and I will say that shehas the railroad, and if you know where Russia ever relinquished anything she ever fastened her hands on, you know more of Russia than she knows of herself. jSiie is now preparing to gobble the trade jjow pnjoyed by America, for one tiling.'”