AMERICA VERSUS AUSTRALIA.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 649, 17 March 1870, Page 4

AMERICA VERSUS AUSTRALIA.

[home news.] The Australian Colonies had need bestir themselves if they desire to compete with the United States for the surplus labor and capital of Europe. Besides the unnamed powers and agencies in the shape of consols and shipping agents, the Americans are bringing, jnto operation all ttoi . inducements of cheap passages and, so-called, cheap land. ' For some time v past advertisements have been going the round of the papersy headed ' • Emigration to America," and intimating that a com- i bination of American railway companies ! is, being formed to furnish cheap and direct passages from Europe to the railway lands of Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota, situated along the lines of the following railways :— The Kansas Pacific Railway, the Denver Pacific Railway, and the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railway. These companies offer to European settlers and the public their. own lands, granted to them by the government, and representing in the aggregate several millions of acreg, at the" market price: at which they are offered to American settlers. The advertisement goes, on to point out all the advantages attendant upon settlement in America, and indicates the mode c f procedure that should be adopted by emigrants. Another, advertisement ema-. hating frote tire '^riternational Land and Labor Agency ," established by the celebrated Elihu Burritt, "informs the British public that there are over 1000 farms for sale in the United States, "in various localities, stretching from. Maine to California, at prices ranging from LIOO to Llo,ooo each, and on easy terms. The State of Virginia, has. had its claims urged in most eloquent terms by a correspondent of the Daily News, This gentleman describes Virginia as a very paradise for pc - sons of limited incomes and small capita 1 . All the refinements of a -high civilisation and a polished society are, according to the writer, within the reach of those possessing sufficient capital to purchase farms, at prices that would be deemed ridiculously high in Australia. All these advertisements and letters and descriptions, tell with wonderful effect upon a class that is a very valuable one in Australia, and for the members of .which the latter would be a far better country than America. Unfortunately, with- reference to the colony, the people have to seek information ; concerning America, information, true and false, is thrust upon them from all points, and in almost every shape and form. Australia could well afford to take a leaf out of America's book in this respect. .