NEW AUSTRALIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2621, 15 February 1894, Page 3

NEW AUSTRALIA.

Mr Peter M'Naught, deputy-chairman of the New Australia Settlement Association, who is at present on a visit to New Zealand with the intention of touring the colony for the purpose of lecturing on the ethical and economical basis of the movement, was on Friday interviewed by a representative of the Olago Daily Times with a view of obtaining some information with regard to the settlement.

On being questioned as to how the movement originated, Mr M'Naught said; It grew out af the unemployed difficulty in Queensland about five yeirs ago. Several citizens there—amongst whom was a judge, a head master of a grammar school, a lawyer or two, and one or two " labor men "—devised a scheme of village settlements, with the view of meeting the difficulty, and out of that movement grew the jnqention of the present movement. It was intended to settle on some land in Queensland at that time, but unfortunately land was not to bo obtained in sufficient quantities to suit the purpose, and the southern and western colonies «ore approached, but we found it was just as difficult to obtain land there. Seeing that, wo turned our thoughts to South America, and three years ago sent Mr Alfred Walker, n Queensland journalist, as our ajjent hi that country to interview tUv» ments there, the result being tiv.tt ho g/.'t favorable answer from tins Argentine and Paraguay Republics. Wo then sunt prospectors two expert farmers —to travel the country to see the qualities of | the soil, climate, &c. After six months' j prospecting, they decided to accept 450,000 acres. Having secured the land, active public organisation was then undertaken, the result being that wo enrolled MOO members. We have already 20!) souls on the laud. Wo have also another lot on their way there, and two shipments ready to go as soon as we the means of transit.

Mr M'Naught, on being asked as to

how they were getting on at the settlement, »aid: Of course wo have had troubles iucidoutal to all mjw uuclortak-

iDgs, one of them being a desire on the part of some of the pioneers to infringe some of the articles of the association. An agreement for total abstinence was one of the articles, and it was sought to be infringed. We had thus to face early in our movement the unpleasant duty of expelling members. The latest direct news we have from the settlement is the following cablegram :—" Drink clique expelled. Good men solid." The promoters of the scheme, Mr M'Naught proceeded to say, are trying to solve the labor problem without causing injury to anyone, or seeking aid from anyone. All we ask is fair play and no favor, and, so far as we are concerned, we are simply actuated by an earnest desire to solve the industrial problem which is causing a feeling of unreßt throughout the civilised world. We have found that the authorities of Paraguay have treated us favourably, and that without exception all the letters received from the settlement contain favourable accounts of the climate, soil, and affability and kindness of the native population. Letters also tell us that all those who went to the settlement were housed within three weeks of their arrival there. Land was also cleared, crops put in, a brick yard started, and a driving party sent to Corientes to bring on a thousand head of cattle. In the course of the interview Mr M'Maught, in alluding further to the movement, said: Our organisers would rather put the dark side of the question than the bright side. Knowiug that numerous difficulties will have to be faced, we are desirous that only men who are prepared to suffer and endure should join us. It is in response to numerous requests for an organiser's presence in New Zealand that I have come over to this colony. The promoters of the scheme are all men who have been connected with the labor movement in Australasia for 15 or 36 years; therefore they are well known to the men from whose ranks they are soliciting recruits. I may say we are determined, so far as the total abstinence clause of our agreement is concerned, that it shall be enforced in the strictest possible manner, being fully conscious of the evils connected with the admission of intoxicating drink into that or any other community. The promoters are as solid as they were four years ago. There has never been the slightest dissatisfaction with one another's action. The movement has been specially successful in getting recruits from South Australia and from Queensland. In educational matters we have already the services f one or two who have received their training in New South Wales—schoolmasters in the State schools. As regards religion we intend that the utmost toleration shall obtain. The individuality of the members is to be fully respected so far as thought, speech,. religion, and leisure are concerned. We aim not at the barracks system of communism, but rather the old home life. Recognising the truth that underlies the saying that "an Englishman's house is his castle," we aim at cottage dwellings rather than the barrack system of living.