AUSTRALIA

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10244, 22 May 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright-

THE CAUSE IF STRIKES.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON, May 20.

Speaking at tho banquet to the Hon. A. Fisher, Prime Minister oi' the Australian Commonwealth, Mr Batchelor said that Australia was having strikes pecauso its prosperity was so great that the readjustment of wages could not keep pace with the increase in industry. Australia had done more as a people to prevent strikes than any other nation had attempted to do. One did not hear of strikes that had been averted. There was every reason to believe that the present prosperity would continue. Australia had great national j rejects in hand, notably the traTiS-contiiiental railway development in the Northern Territory, which was one of the biggest problems any Government could face. Rather than that it be developed by black labour, the Government would retire at once. The opening up of this territory had been demanded for many years by a great ma.iy people. Mr Pearco, speaking on defence matters, eaid: "We have come here to learn. It is not going to be all plain sailing. Britishers, however, were never daunted by difficulties in the past. In this spirit we are facing i the question of Australian defence." | Mr Batchelor declared that'at no 1

period in Australian history was there such a splendid return for industry as at the present time. There was capital in abundance, and land was awaiting tho workers. He advocated a reciprocal commercial agreement between Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Pearce said that defence was not a party but a national question in Australia. Some thought they were attempting too much respecting defence, but Australians were always willing to take risks.