WHAT AUSTRALIA NEEDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1464, 26 May 1905, Page 4

WHAT AUSTRALIA NEEDS.

INFLUX OF POPULATION.

Melbourne, May 16.

At an offioial dinner which he gave to the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Knox, M.H.R., the president, urged that the institution should take a strong stand on political questions in order to show the public on whioh side of the fence it was. Mr MoJjean, Minister for Customs, in the course of his speech dealt with Borne trade matters. As to imports and exports, the value per head for the Commonwealth was £23 13s 6d. For the United Kingdom it was £6 19s 6d, United States £l6. 12s, Germany £9 7s sd, France £9 Os lOd, and the Argentine £ll ss. The production of their primary industries averaged per head £22 15s 2d. This was far ahead of all important countries in the world, except New Zealand. (Cheers.) What was not

satisfactory was the smallnesß of our population. (Hear, hear.) It had frequently been said that we should not attempt to bring more population here until the cry for land by those alroady here had been satisfied. That argument had been abandoned by several of the State Premiers at the Hobart Conference. If Australia had a considerable influx of capital and population now, every section of the community would benefit. (Hear, hear.) We had land suitable for the production of everything that could be produced either in temperate or tropical lands. (Hoar, hear.) The best way to bring about the introduction of capital and population was to establish confidence in our institutions and in the safety of property. There would be no danger of this not beiDg established if everyone would record bis vote at election time. We oould trust the sanity of the majority of the people. (Hear, hear.) Mr Swinburne (Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Water Supply) assured Mr McLean that as far as Victoria was concerned, if he desired its assistance in any matter it would be heartily given. Nothing could be done by depreciating the Federal Government or Federal Parliament. It depended upon the people of Australia to send to that Parliament the most intellectual and the most intelligent and most sincere and able men the Federation oould produce. Only by introducing new blood could Australia uphold its position, and it was for the Federal Government to devise proper measures to bring about the necessary influx of population. The Government of Victoria was doing its part, and had already spent £IOO.OOO on closer settlement.