EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 312, 11 February 1910, Page 5

EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA

THE SWEDISH WARNING

STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN.

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Sydney February 10.

Referring to Count Morner's warning to Swedish emigrants against proceeding to Australia and New Zealand, the Hon. Mr. Wade, Premier of New South Wales, states that he is much surprised at the statement, as' a reference to the Immigration Bureau report shows not only that every immigrant brought out under State assistance was offered employment witlun,, delay, but that for months past there has been a demand largely in excess of the supply for immigrants. The Government has had to bear the burden of mistakes made by privately directed organisations which attempt to carry out the larger and more difficult work of actually finding work for immigrants', and which, through want of proper machinery and experience, at times fail to place tehir men.

He trusts that Count Morner will correct the impression, for as far as the Government is concerned it is scarcely accurate, and it is likely to do harm to a movement that ought to be en-

couraged,

AN ILLIMITABLE FIELD.

Melbourne, February 10.

Sir Robert Best, Federal Minister for Customs, denied that there was any need for Count Morner or anybody else to warn intending emigrants against proceeding to Australia or New Zealand. He says there is ample room and plenty of opportunities for suitable men to make a living in Australia, particularly as agriculturists. There is room, not for hundreds, but for thousands of the right type. THE WARNING JUSTIFIED.

COUNT MORNER EXPLAINS HIS ATTITUDE.

Received February 10, 7.45 p.m. Sydney, February 10.

The Danish Consul and Count Morner both state that neither Denmark nor Sweden can spare agricultural emigrants. Though they do send emigrants from other classes, they find it difficult to place them. Both warnings were due to Count Morner .sending a clipping from a newspaper of Mr. Holman's speech on the immigration policy at Newcastle in November last. The Danish Consul thought the announcement by his Government was due to the statement published in Swedish papers. In a letter to his Government in May last lie stated: "With the exception of servants and agricultural laborers the conditions here are such that the absolutely advises against emigration. Danish women willing to work as servants can always find Something to do. The pay is good, but the work hard. As for male emigrants, only the agricultural laborer who can stand hard work is wanted. For commercial people or people without a trade Australia is the last place to come to. Businesses and offices are all filled from the country's own people, and it is most arfficult for foreigners to find employment."

Count Morner states' that most of the Swedes 'who come here are looking for city positions, and he had the greatest difficulty in finding work for them. Some had been sent' off to America. Out of the large number who had applied to him he had only found work for three, and these in menial positions below their accomplishments. The people had been deceived by colenr de rose schemes. The Government would not help them because the men were not assisted immigrants. Sometimes work was' offered up country, but he was asked to pay the immigrant's fare there. I twould be a good /thing if the Government gave free passes to such as found work in the country, or even lent money for fares. Many of these raen spent everything they had in getting here. It was easy to say there was plenty of work, but tho way to prove it was for the Government- or private persons to help him to find work for these immigrants. A fanner with money could get on splendidly here, but so he could in Sweden. He sent the cutting of Mr. Holman's speech, with a request that it be handed to the Swedish Anti-emigration Society.