Australian. Soil Called Field For British Indians

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 7, 23 January 1937, Page 12

Australian. Soil Called Field For British Indians

ABELAIDEt— After 32 years ' abisence from the Gommoiiwealth, Gomjmander L. E. Gaunt, formerly a naval offieer in these waters, admits that, to sohie ektent, he has ehanged his views about the White Australia polidy. When he left Australia he'Was in entire agreement with his policy, but now he has qualifications — -he believes that the enormous empty spaces in northern Australia can be Opened up profitably by British sttbjeCtS frOffl Ihdia. He urges that the Federal Government should encourage sueh immigration. Coroiaander Gaunt is a Vietorian and two of his brothers are British Admirftls. He has tfavelled in most CoUfltrifes, iheluding cultivated lands, jungles and deserts. He has pointed out to the authorities and bu&iness leaders that ho tropical lahds have evef beeh tilledj worked, or cultivated successfuliy by white iabour, nor haS the Ihdiah -migrated to any extent to the White man's. domaini Then, Why hot permit him, a British Ihdian, to come to tho tropies of Australia i "Within a day's motor tour of bota Perth and Adelaide," said the Gommander, "I have seen land, mostly unoccupied, certainly uncultivated, that the Irigh farmer, Of Italidfl dhd Ffehch peasaht would envy. Yet, wheh I Suggested immigrants with £500 beihg Chcduraged, the feply was 'No,' he ueeds £2000." Commander Gaunt remarked that he had heard, with great approval, that all the States are taking up Pairbridge i farms. This he Gousidered admirable but it meant, say, only 1000 a year in- | Crease in population wliereas, in his ! view, the increase necessary to mahitahi Australia's position in tho World should not be less thau. 100,000 a year. A bishop was showin^ a party of naval ratings in the eharge of a Petty OffiCer round a cathedral. At the conclusion of the tour the Bishop handed pamphlets on the history of the building to the somewhat disinterested party. There was one pamphlet over, and the Bishop remarked mildly: "There is oue left over — what shall 3 do with it?" And the Petty Officer said: "The first man that speaks is under arrest. " ❖ «®> 3> g> NCighbourly JobSon leaned over the garden fence and beekoned to his neighbour. "I say, old man," he said, "I understand that you have Brown 's rake?" The neighbour nodded. "Good," said dobson. "If you '11 let me borrow that occasionally I'll let yOu usc his garden roller whonever you Wan't it. "