AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8008, 20 December 1905, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

AGENTS GENERAL REPORT, Received, 0,46 a,m. Melbocbne, December 19. The reports of the Agents General on immigration has been presented to the House.

Sympathy is expressed for the desire of Australia to preserve tho country for the white race, and maintain a higV standard of living and wages.

Of the many causes that tended to prejudice Australia in the estimation of the public none, the Agents General say, had so widosproad,and striking an influence as the a es which had arisen under the contract provisions of the Immigration Restriction Act. This is taken as typical of the real attitude of Australia towards the of immigration. Even tho most thoughtful elements of the community, who are aware of the genesis of the language test made at the instance of the Imperial Government, strongly resent the contract provision. They argue that it is absurd' to think immigrants under contract ever would or could be landed in such numbers as to aifcot the labour market lof any State They urge the repeal of [the whole of the law relating to contract labor, and that protection, in case of strikes, should bo given by a substantial Act.

Discussing the likely classes of immigrants, it is stated that many British farmers are desirous of moving to places where there is a bettor reward than can be obtained for their labour and capital at Home. These men have probably an average capital of from £SOO to £IOOO, and could be secured to Australia in fairly largo numbers if guaranteed farming lands at a reasonable cost immediately on arrival.