CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 55, 26 August 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

PROGRESSIVE ARGENTINA. The New Zealander usually knows little more about the Argentine than that she is a most formidable rival in the meat trade. But the published figures indicate very clearly that the republic is being developed with remarkable speed. Argentina is the greatest exporter of . corn in the world; Russia alone exports more wheat, and only Australia exports more wool. Nearly £000.000,000 of working capital is embarked in Argentine pastoral and agricultural pursuits and allied industries, while' less than £20,000,000 is devoted to the country's manufactures, and this amount includes electric light and power plants used in her larger cities. It is as a pastoral and agricultural territory, as a recent writer in the Century Magazine reminds us, that Argentina chiefly eKcels, and it is in those directions that her hopes for the future lie. Her manufacturing industries must grow in nmnl>er and va- j riety, but will, nevertheless, remain a i comparatively inconsiderable source of her wealth. A serious lack of fuel and | water are characteristic of her vast areas. She has no running streams; and scarcely a gully in a . hundred miles. When it j rains the water stands in pools and lakes in the impervious soil until dried up by evaporation. Great Britain, we are told, has invested over £200.000,000 in the Republic, Germany £12,000,000, and France considerably less. Trade does not necessarily "follow the flag," but that it follows capital is an axiom which British business men long since recognised and by which they have undoubtedly profited. It is interesting to note that in 1909 Argentina, with a total foreign commerce of £140,000,000, of i which about £ 80,000,000 represented exports, imported from Britain nearly £20,000,000 worth of goods and exported to the same country during the year upwards of £16,000,000 worth. British trade with the Argentine Republic is a great and increasing one. British money lias built the railroads, established the banks, encouraged tho breeding of line horses and i cattle and supplied the merchandise required for use in connection with all these enterprises. The British are appreciated in Argentina for their national characteristics—pluck, perseverance and reliability.

- -AMERICANS FOR AUSTRALIA. The Victorian Government lias lately been considering proposals to organise an excursion to Australia for American land-seekers, and distorted and exaggerated statements regarding this scheme have gained wide publicity through American newspaper.-;. The result has been a rush of enterprising citizens of the great republic to assist the Commonwealth in gratifying its supposed desire for increased population. One person wrote to Mr. Hughes from New York offering to send to Australia any number of Italians, Hungarians or men of other specified nationalities "at £2 a head," and promised that they would be over eighteen years of age. He added that lie could send many native-born Americans oil the same terms. A resident of San Diego, California, stated his willingness to emigrate to Australia "if the land, tl|o climate and other conditions are favorable." A woman wrote ' to say that she was eager for an opportunity to make a.home.in the Commonwealth. The story'of Australia's need has crossed the Canadian border, and a resident of Manitoba has forwarded an extract frem a newspaper, which stated that the Australian Government was "looking for a builder to take charge of Government subsidised workmen's dwellings at a salary of £IOOO a year." The correspondent s\iid 'that; the' Government's search was not likely to be successful in Canada, as "all the builders are making £3OOO a year," but with generous consideration for Mr. Hughes and his colleagues in their troubles, he • offered to "take the job" himself. Some of the letters received in Melbourne were addressed to "The Attorney-General, Australia," some to "Mr. Hughes, Australia," and some to "The Federal Government, Australia.' 1 None of the offers have been accepted, but the letters have served a good purpose by showing that accurate information .concerning the Commonwealth should b4 made available for enquirers.in the United States and Canada. .The. Federal Government is considering the advisability of appointing airepresentative in North America. °