GENERAL BOOTH’S SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1581, 11 October 1905, Page 2

GENERAL BOOTH’S SCHEME.

WHY IT COLLAPSED,

By telegraph, Press Ass'n, Copyright Rocoivod 9 43 p.m , Oct, 10. London, Oot. 10. Mr Bramwoll Booth, on behalf of the General, haa oommunioatod tho following to the newspapers : 11 As soveral of the States of Australia were alarmed at tho prospect of a it.earn of emigrants unpossessed of ample financial capital, and it would bo difficult to satisfy thum regarding tho financial status of tho settlors, a section of tho press raised the ory of sending tho submerged tenth. No such idea entored our calculations. We belioved this fear wns dying or already dead, and with the proposal of tho Federal Parliament to amend the immigration laws, that emigration on a oaroful, systematic and soiontifio plan would bo heartily weloomod. This was apparently a mistake. It was ovident the moment wa3 inopportune for emigration of the dimensions proposed. This view was confirmed by a oonferenoe of Agents-General and other authorities on Australia resident in London. Thore does not seem to exist a disposition on the part of Australia as a whole to acoord such a welcome to the people we wish to send as would justify proceeding with the scheme.” Rccsived 10.45 p.m, Oot. 10. Mr Bramwoll Booth continued : “In the casa of such an important measure general|[unaoimity is essential. No one has more cogently and consistently upheld the soheme than Mr Deakin, His speech in Parliament reveals that statesmen are possessed cf strong convictions regarding tho supreme need of tho Commonwealth and their confidence in the Salvationists' ability so largely supply the need with the class of people who would do credit to all concerned ; but the direct responsibility of receiving and placing the emigrants would devolve upon the States, and the oonditionß do not yet prevail'in tho States warranting us proceeding with tho soheme. In respeot to Queensland and West Australia, which are exceptions, they are prepared to heartily welcome emigrants, hot only small eontißgents. These would be assisted under existing regulations, and doubtless other facilities would presently be afforded ; but even in regard to these States, wo are strongly advised to proooed with caution, We hope small contingents will be useful as an ' object lesson of the fitness of the emigrants. If a ohange of plan secures heartier co-operation of colonials than at present seems possible, the abandonment of the original soheme is temporary. Meanwhile we must simply wait and work. We do not wish it understood that we are object* ing to the attitude of a large number of people of the Australian States. They are entitled to manage their own affairs, and while Salvationists deplore the diffi culties felt in welooming new population, it is uselees bewailing them ” General Booth declared earlier, in an interview with an Australian press repre« seota'ive, that he did not wish to say anything calculated to lead to lead to conflict with the Labor party. On bis statement above the Times says : —“ General Booth’s conclusion that the moment is inopportune is possibly right, but the grounds are surely inadequate. It is difficult to avoid the impression that something is withheld which might explain the 1 sudden withdrawal.” id