and no We upon the States Governments that they member for Swan and the honorable have nothing to lose and everything to gain member for Coolgardie, as well as by by the Commonwealth undertaking this others, upon the great value of the cotask for them. We are being criticised- operation of the States. It seems to me one objects to criticism-because that there is an irresistible case for intrustwe are supposed to be depriving the States ing to the Commonwealth the work of adof some income which they have received vertising Australia as a whole abroad, each or which they believe they ought to State furnishing the facts it wishes to have receive. Here is an opportunity which we advertised. Under such a system we have offered and continue to offer to them could not pick and choose, we should not of relieving themselves of certain expendi- select the data in any way. We should ture. We offer to undertake this work on take what the States themselves gave us; behalf of the States; to relieve them of the bear the expense of advertising it, and expenditure which it involves solely for choose the methods which seemed to us, their advantage, and not for the benefit of after full inquiry, best suited at the the Commonwealth as distinguished from moment, to the Mother Country or to any the States. We, of course, gain by every of the other countries to which allusion has citizen who enters Australia no matter into been made. But when dealing with imwhich State he goes. If he is a valuable migration into this country we cannot help asset to one State he is equally valuable being impressed by the many difficulties to Australia as a whole. We have no need that will be removed if we can enlist the to discriminate and do not wish to do so. cordial co-operation of the States. In the It may be suggested that since we control first place it is not only essential to Papua and the Northern Territory may be- reach the desirable people-avoiding the come another territory of the Common- unemployable of the Mother Country, wealth, some bias might be shown in that and in every other country; but to reconnexion by our representatives. The cognise that we have not accomplished our States, however, will always be able to task by merely bringing them here. rely, as my honorable friend has said, upon must provide for their reception, as the the advantages in the matter of climate United States and Canada, in particular, which they possess. Surely we may take have done. it that it has been proved incontestably Mr. KING O'MALLEY.-The railway that, looking at the interests of Aus- companies have done this work in America. tralia as a whole, this work should be un- Mr. DEAKIN. Companies having dertaken by the Commonwealth. Aus- interests similar to those of the Canadiantralia is a whole. It is divided into States Pacific Railway Company have looked after for local purposes and endowed with a immigrants on arrival in the United Commonwealth of restricted powers in States. Because of the difference beorder that its proper development may be tween the methods and conditions of farmsecured by both political organizations. ing here and in the Mother Country, and Both the States and the Commonwealth are the strangeness of bush life to those who instruments to be used by the people as a are unused to our sparse settlement, immiwhole for the benefit of Australia as a grants should be provided on arrival with whole. They are to be employed for the proper accommodation, information, and industrial and rural development of the all knowledge necessary to fairly launch country as a unit. In its defence there is them on their new careers. no distinction possible between the States. I ventured to interject the truism that Yesterday In that respect no boundary line can be the best advertisement a country drawn. Consequently this question of im- have is the letter written home by the migration, regarded even as a mere matter successful immigrant. Such an advertiseof advertising, requires to be dealt with ment cannot be surpassed, nor can the nationally in order that justice may be injury done by the letters of discondone to all the States without impairing tented or dissatisfied immigrants be reany influence which the Commonwealth paired. If immigration is to be a success, ought to exercise. Then to come so far as the immigrant must be given all the asI can in connexion with a vote which deals sistance he may require to make a fair only with advertising the resources of Aus- start. It may be asked why should more tralia-to the vital question of immigration. consideration be shown to the newcomer may I emphasize the remarks that have than to the citizen of the Commonwealth? been made to-day by the right honorable I see no reason why a distinction should Mr. Deakin. can exist. The provision now made from winter to winter, in time of stress, and in haste, to disseminate knowledge as to where employment is to be found, and where labourers are wanting work, is extremely defective. Much of the difficulty in dealing with the unemployed is due to the fact that applicants for work are neither properly classified nor informed of their opportunities. Mr. PAGE. Is there any organization for that purpose? Mr. DEAKIN.-Every winter such an organization is improvised; and in New South Wales there is a permanent Department which makes inquiries and disseminates information regarding the state of the labour market. However, I do not wish to discuss what is at present a State matter, beyond saying that it is hardly a fair answer to those who advocate proper organization for the assistance of immigrants that there is not such an organization for those already in the country. Both classes should be assisted. We should have effective machinery for making known where employment is obtainable, and under what conditions, for the information of the seeker after work, be he immigrant or citizen. Mr. W. H. IRVINE.-In Victoria there has been for some years a bureau doing work of that kind. Mr. DEAKIN.-I have not sufficient knowledge to criticise it, but it seems to me that its operations have been confined to the winter. Mr. THOMAS BROWN.-It has not solved the unemployed problem. Mr. DEAKIN.-I have yet to hear of a country where that problem has been solved, though excellent work has been done in the attempt. But I fail to see that the fact that unemployment exists is a reason why we should cease from applying to the development of the Commonwealth all the labour we can devote to its undoubtedly enormous unused opportunities. The States being the large landholders, and in possession of larger local public services than are at the dis posal of the Commonwealth, have much better means for collecting and transmitting information from one place to another than the Commonwealth could obtain without large expenditure. If we can secure their co-operation, we shall be able to give a much better guarantee to those whom we wish to attract to our shores that, without delay or needless cost, they will find employment or land available for those who seek it. Mr. WEBSTER.-The trouble is to get available land in most of the States. Mr. DEAKIN.-That is a trouble with which the States alone can deal, since the Commonwealth possesses no land. Mr. WEBSTER.-The question is whether we cannot proceed in another way. Mr. DEAKIN.-That remains to be seen. While, pointing out the great value. of State co-operation, I shall, so as not to detain the Committee, make no reference to the many directions in which it is most desirable that the States should pursue the task of welcoming and furnishing immigrants with information. When I come to the possibility that the States may not cooperate with the Commonwealth, I feel myself under an even greater disability, because we are likely shortly to meet the Premiers of the States to discuss this question, and I desire neither to reflect on what they have done nor to use language which could be fairly construed to imply anything in the nature of a threat. If we must look forward to the possibility of our proposals for co-operation being rejected, I agree with the honorable and learned member for Flinders that even that will not bring us to a full stop. We shall have to adopt other means, which I hesitate to describe, because I do not wish to assume an aggressive attitude. The honorable member for Angas detailed up to a certain point the negotiations which have taken place in this regard between the Governments of the States and that of the Commonwealth. While there is a distinction between the Government and Parliament of the Commonwealth and those whom we represent, there is, I believe, an even greater distinction, where national questions are concerned, between the Governments and Parliaments of the States and their constituents. We have not yet had an opportunity-we may not soon have, and do not desire it-to ascertain the judgment of the people in regard to these vexed questions; but if the Commonwealth takes the true national path, avoiding any extinction or invasion of State rights, but seeking to serve national ends by national means, the people, who are the electors both for the States and the Commonwealth, will support us. Whenever we propose to carry out national work with national machinery, we shall have their support, and the Governments of the States, if they venture to appeal to them to resist it will not be Mr. W. H. IRVINE.-I should not take supported by those who are their masters as Mr. DEAKIN.-I would rather not Mr. JOSEPH COOK.-What is the honorable and learned member suggesting now? Mr. DEAKIN.—I am dealing with the misconception that a refusal of the State Governments to co-operate must mean an abandonment of our proposals. I have gone further by saying that, after such a refusal, should there be a marked difference of opinion in regard to the handling of this national question, the Commonwealth Parliament will more truly interpret the national feeling and sentiment than the Parliaments of the States. Mr. JOSEPH COOK.-Does the honor able and learned member suggest that an appeal should be made at some election? Mr. DEAKIN.-I am pointing out that the proper course to follow, if we do not secure the co-operation of the States will be to submit the matter to the people. We cannot then be charged with invading States' rights, since we shall be appealing to the possessors of all the powers distributed between the States and the Commonwealth. But I deprecate the idea that I am even hinting at the possibility of a conflict between the Commonwealth Government and Parliament and the States' Governments and Parliaments as if they were antagonistic in origin or opposite in their true interests. The real solution will be to submit the question at issue directly to the electors, of whose interests we are both of us the custodians. take it seriously myself; but it was made seriously. Mr. JOSEPH Cook. If I recollect aright a suggestion of the kind was made by the Prime Minister himself at Ballarat during the last election, when he reminded the States that we had the power-he gave them a pretty good hint. Mr. DEAKIN. It is possible I may have given that hint, but do not remember it. In connexion with immigration what we have to fear is, as I say, if, from any circumstances, we bring people here who find that the representations made are unjustified, and they cannot obtain an opportunity to take part in the development of the country, that would be fatal to any expenditure we might be undertaking oversea. If, therefore, we have to face the possibility of State inaction and want of sympathy, it will make our task very much more critical, and we shall have to proceed with so much greater caution. It will be a difficult matter to introduce more than a very limited number. The value of State co-operation is that with it we can venture. with the greatest confidence, to introduce immigrants in large numbers, whereas, without the cordial co-operation of the States, we shall require to introduce them with great circumspection, in order that they may not find themselves deceived, and may not, therefore, react on our advertising agencies abroad by demonstrating that the promises held out are not, or cannot, be fulfilled. Here we see the value of a High Commissioner in London, with his finger on the pulse of the emigration movement on that side, assisting the Commonwealth on this side, in close touch Mr. DEAKIN.-Exactly. But we have with the whole of the continent and familiar already had warning from one, if not more, with all the circumstances of our land of the State Premiers that, if we attempt and land settlement. We can then govern to introduce immigrants without the consent the influx of immigrants so as to meet the or against the will of State authorities, varying conditions of seasons or circumthere may be serious trouble. That was stances. When we speak of land settleа direct intimation that, under cer- ment, I hope we remember-although it tain extreme circumstances, we might is a point which has been overlooked or not only have to proceed without ignored by several speakers-that there is State assistance, but in defiance of an immense amount of labour employed on State antagonism. I have never suggested such a possibility, but it was suggested at one of the Conferences. Consequently I reply that if that misguided view prevails it will become necessary for us to appeal to the people. Mr. W. H. IRVINE.--Conflict could arise only if we sought for additional powers. There can be no conflict while we are content to work within our own limits. land which is not necessarily the labour of the owners. In this country large numbers of men are occupied in making homes for themselves and families, who are short of assistance required all the year round. When speaking of land settlement I have in Premiers, and according to the encouragement they hold out with regard to co-operation. Should co-operation be refused, that will not prevent a vote from being submitted, though it may determine the amount for the first year or so, and modify the scheme in other particulars, which we need not now discuss. In any case, a vote will appear on next year's Estimates. With the co-operation of the States, we shall be justified in asking for a liberal sum, in order to inaugurate a continuous stream of desirable immigrants. Mr. McWILLIAMS.-Will that vote be discussed prior to the appointment of a High Commissioner? Mr. DEAKIN.-I hope the events will be contemporaneous. contemplation those who come here sufficiently qualified by the possession of knowledge and capital to take up land, and also those who come out, in the first instance, as agricultural labourers with a view, no doubt, of taking up land for themselves when they shall have become qualified by knowledge of the country to decide where to make their selections. The number of settlers who will arrive with money will, I think, be much larger than anticipated, if those eligible are made aware of the circumstances and conditions of Australia. I do not mean particularly in Victoria, where the price of land to-day is quite high compared with prices ruling elsewhere, but other parts of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, where land can be purchased at much lower Mr. CROUCH.-Have the Premiers inprices. These men will want skilled vited the Prime Minister to their Conlabour, and they will not bring with them ference? immigrant labourers as innocent as them- Mr. DEAKIN.-Not yet; but I notice selves, but will require men who have they have been exchanging newspaper served their apprenticeship here. How paragraphs which seem to point in that ever, that is digression. What the States direction. When the vote is proposed next Governments will be entitled to know, year, I shall be prepared, of course, to lay when we are debating the question a scheme before the House, and discuss with them, is that if they co-operate with us, we can at once commence what I have termed the large immigration. But if we have to watch the course of employment, study the various land systems, and consider the overplus of applicants for all land that is being thrown open, at all events, in the States of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, we shall have to proceed with extreme caution. There are more and seekers than Crown land left open for selection in the populous States. For my own part, so far as I am able to judge, through minds better informed than mine on this subject, I believe that, even if we commence with a small stream, it can be steadily increased without risk or danger. Those in the first and small stream will be a source of employment for the second and larger stream. Mr. MCWILLIAMS.-Every good immigrant who comes here will become an immigration agent. it in detail, with the qualification I have already indicated. We shall then give particulars of the scale on which the immigration will be instituted, and the rate at which it can be continued without apprehension, even if we cannot count on the co-operation for which we hope. I believe that in the last resort, we shall find it possible to proceed with the introduction of immigrants under proper conditions, without delay. I most earnestly hope and trust, however, that the experience which the States have had with this Government during the last three years will satisfy them that we have been as patient as men can be in waiting for some realization of the plans submitted as long ago as 1906. I do not desire to weary honorable members with quotations, but it will be remembered that the Premier of Western Australia was not able to attend the Sydney Conference in 1906, and that in March of that year I wrote to him as follows Mr. DEAKIN.-That is so. Every If the States, in their own way, at their own man who takes up land, is providing work terms, and according to their own judgment for other men. The vote we are discus- will make sufficient land obtainable without diffising now is merely for advertising pur- into Australia of suitable immigrants such as culty to supply the needs of a steady inflow poses, and, though I am dealing with the can naturally be absorbed by them, the Comgeneral question of immigration, that can monwealth Government will supply those imonly be properly debated on a new vote migrants. Next session we will make adequate which will appear on the Estimates for next recommendations to the Federal Parliament, first for advertising Australia in the Mother Coun. Those Estimates will be prepared try, on at least the scale proposed by the Agents. after the coming Conference with the Ceneral; next for subsidizing the passages of year. more Mr. DEAKIN.-They have not invited us at all yet. Mr. W. H. IRVINE. A great deal depends upon the way the Premiers propose to meet the Commonwealth. suitable immigrants by lines of steamers at cheap fares; and, in addition, for taking any other action that may be considered expedient for fostering rural pursuits by means of bounties. ecoThese things can be done much nomically and effectively by the Commonwealth acting for Australia than by the States sepa- Mr. DEAKIN.-May I venture to differ rately. Bounties can only be granted by the from the acting leader of the Opposition in Commonwealth. The several States would, of the rather pessimistic view he appears to course, supplement these activities to any extent they thought desirable, according to whatever take of the prospects of the Northern Terarrangements here, or as to their joint labours ritory. I am well aware that one of the at Home, they may decide to adopt. The Premiers said at a Conference that any proposal now made needs no elaboration. settlers we might send there would in a few It is a business offer. The Commonwealth months be found in some of the other would undertake the responsibility of carryStates. is accepted ing it out effectively. If it Having been forewarned should be forearmed against such a contingency; but those who have recently visited the Northern Territory, amongst them the honorable member for Illawarra, hold, I believe, a strong opinion that there are large areas of extremely fertile country offering admirable opportunity to young and enterprising settlers for mixed farming. Mr. McWILLIAMS.-Is it proposed to construct any railways in the Northern Territory? we shall at once become united in a truly Federal spirit for a truly national object. we Mr. DEAKIN.-Some railway works must be carried out. Mr. JOSEPH COOK.-Immigrants are expected to go where our own settlers will not go. Mr. DEAKIN.-I think that the settlers we shall draw to the Northern Territory will be mainly Australians. If we offer encouragement by providing railway communication, and, perhaps, freezing works for meat and butter particularly, there are large tracts of land adjoining the Victoria and other rivers, which can be occupied at comparatively small expense, on which cattle are now thriving, and from which a considerable business could be done direct with the East. Mr. JOSEPH COOK.-There is a great diversity of opinion on that point. Mr. DEAKIN.-There may be, and I have yet to find the subject, particularly the prospects of any stated portion of this country, about which there is not a diversity of opinion. Still, we thrive. Mr. McWILLIAMS.-Is it correct that the white residents in the Northern Ter Mr. W. H. IRVINE. I hope it will not ritory are decreasing? come to that. Mr. DEAKIN.-I hope not, and venture to believe not. Mr. W. H. IRVINE.-Have the Premiers invited the Commonwealth Government to be represented at the Conference, and in what capacity? Mr. DEAKIN.-They are certainly not increasing. Mr. SAMPSON.-Mining is going down. Mr. DEAKIN.-I think that the latest reports as to mining are unfavourable. Mr. SAMPSON.-There is only one hope. and that is by a large expenditure of public money on special settlements. |