The Salvation Army's Immigration Scheme.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7927, 16 September 1905, Page 3

The Salvation Army's Immigration Scheme.

MELBOURNE, Sept. 15. Mr Dcakin, Federal Premier, has received a cable from General Booth asking him whether, if he (the General) sends 6000 families, principally of the agricultural and allied industries, to Australia, can they be placed f They arc of good character, healthy, not destitute, and he expects to have them available during the coming English winter, The matter will be laid before the State Premiers. /Received Sept. 15. 10.48 p.ra.J ■LONDON, Sept. 13. The newspapers believe that General Booth's offer to Mr Deakin relates largely to people from the country who have drifted into the towns. No unusual distress iu the agricultural districts is threatened. It is understood that the offer is due to the Australian summer corresponding with the period of distress in England. MR DEAKIN'S EXPLANATION", (Received Sept. 15, 11..10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 15. Mr Peakiii,; referring to General Booth's proposal, 'stated that be had a conversation, when ho was a private member, with General Bovth when the latter indicated what his intentions were. He hoped to obtain blocks of Crown lands, either as grant* or (or ordinary payment, and to provide himself with sufficient capital to make the settlements a ■uecrss. The scheme provides for co-op*.ra-lion among the settlers, and advantage would be taken of uuy advances to settlers, or legislaticn of that character, existing in the StatsIn which they took up their nuarters. He desired the Federal Go- . Tonunent to help iu tba charter of. transports such as he had despatched to Canada. At no time had j General Booth suggested any alteration of the Immigration Restriction ! Act. I Mr Watson thinks the scheme h ( entitled to the sympathetic consider»«ob of tint States*