AUSTRALIA’S PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S PROBLEMS.

SENATOR’S MISSION ABROAD. WAR DEBTS AND IMMIGRATION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Feb. 3, 5.5 p.m, London, Feb. 3. Senator E. D. Millen, in an interview by the Australian Press Association, said he was satisfied at the results of his mission, including the Geneva conference, Commonwealth loan funding, and Commonwealth indebtedness and immigration. At Geneva mandates were obtained which protected Australian interests in the mandated territory, while measures have been taken to secure a more equitable distribution of the costs of the League of Nations under which Australia would benefit substantially. The Commonwealth loan was satisfactory in view of the market conditions. Regarding the Commonwealth’s indebtedness to the British Government an agreement had been completed with the Treasury which, he was confident, Australia would regard as eminently satisfactory. Briefly it relieved the Commonwealth of any immediate cash payments, with the funding of the principal debts aggregating over £90,000,000, including a number of borrowings obtained in earlier periods and in war organisation. Immigration was practically settled on the lines of the understanding between the Commonwealth and th? States, and the scheme would become operative at a few days’ notice. The Empire Parliamentary Association entertained Mr. Millen to luncheon in the House of Commons. Lord Milner presided and proposed the toast of Mr. Millen. Others present were Mr. A. J. Balfour, Mr. L. C. Amery, Lord Burnham, Lord Emmott,- Lord Lincolnshire, General Seely, Sir Owen Phillipps, aria Sir Joseph N.Z. Cable Assn.