COUNT MORNER’S WARNINGS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2733, 11 February 1910, Page 5

COUNT MORNER’S WARNINGS

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comments by the federal

PREMIER

United Press Association —Copyright

SYDNEY, Feb. 10.

Referring to Count Morner’s warning to Swedish immigrants, the Premier states he is much surprised at the statement, to the immigration bureaux shows not only that every immigrant brought out under State assistance was offered employment without delay, but that for months past there has been a demand largely in excess of the supply for immigrants. The Government has had to bear the burdens of the mistakes made by pri-vately-directed organisations, which attempt to carry out larger and more difficult work than actually finding work for immigrants, which through want of the proper machinery and experience at times fail to place their men. Ho trusts that Count Morner will correct the impression as far as the Government is concerned, as it is scarcely accurate, and likely to do harm to a movement that ought to be encouraged.

A SYDNEY JOURNAL’S CRITICISM

The “Herald” says Count Morner must not be surprised if his advertisement of Australia as a good land to stay away from leads to some plain speaking. Probably lie has no doubt as to the policy that a Swedish Consul should pursue, and he may declare that he is resijonsible to nobody but his Government, but there is such a thing as truth —rounded, reasonable truth—which every man in public or private life is expected to recognise and observe. To send to Sweden the copy of a speech by Mr Holman attacking the Government of this State and to let it be inferred that it contains the whole truth about Australia is surely to forget the alphabet of fair play and honest dealing. Count Morner is not an ignoramus. He has lived among us long enough to understand something of our politics, and he must know very well that Mr Holman, in the capacity of deputy leader of the Opposition, does not make speeches that are dispassionate and perfectly balanced. To send to Sweden statements of members of the Labor Opposition without at least offsetting them by the Government defence is either carelessness or deception. We can quite understand the Consul’s point of view. He does not want agriculturists to leave Sweden, because they are as badly needed there as here. To help liis Government in keeping this desirable class at home he has thought it fair to give Australia a had name, though the Commonwealth is quite good enough to provide him with a vocation and something in the shape of •?. pedestal.

OPINIONS FROM VICTORIA

MELBOURNE, Feb. 10

Mr Best, Minister for Customs, denies that there is any need for Count Morner or anybody else to warn intending emigrants against proceeding to Australia or New Zealand. There was ample room and plenty of opportunities for suitable men to make a living in Australia, particularly as agriculturists. There was room, not for hundreds, but for thousands of the right type. The State Premier did not think the warning applied to Victoria. Probably the Consul had New South Wales in view. Certain men, no doubt, found difficulty in getting work when they came, but they would probably have the same difficulty in any other part of the world. He knew of no class that would make more successful colonists than Norwegians and Swedes, as they were willing to go to the bush and do hard pioneering work.

STATEMENTS IN EXPLANATION

(Received February 10, 9.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 10. The Danish Consul and Count Morner both state that neither Denmark nor Sweden can' spare agricultural emigrants. Both warnings were due to Count Morner sending a clipping from a newspaper on Mr. Holman’s speech on the immigration policy at Newcastle in November last.

THE DANISH CONSUL’S STATEMENT. The Danish Consul thought that the announcement by his Government was due to the statement published in the Swedish papers. In. a letter to his Government in May lhst he stated: “With the exception of servants and agricultural laborers, the conditions here are such that the Consulate absolutely advises against emigration. Danish women willing to work as servants can always find someth in a- to do. The pay is good, but the work is hard. As for male emigrants, only agricultural laborers who can stand hard work are wanted. For commercial people or for people without a trade Australia is the last place to come to.. Business and offices are all.filled by the country’s own people. It is most difficult for foreigners to find employment.

A STATEMENT BY COUNT

MORNER

Count Morner states that the Swedes who come here are looking for city positions, and he had the greatest difficulty in finding work for them. Some had been sent off to America. Out of a large number who had applied to him, he had only found work for three, and these in menial positions below their accomplishments. People had been deceived by couleur de rose schemes, and the Government would not help them because the men were not assisted im-

migrants. Sometimes work was offered

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up-country, but lie was asked to pay the immigrants’ fare there. It would be a good thing if the Government gave free passes t 6 such as found work in the country, or even lent money for fares. Many of these men had spent everything they had in getting here. It was easy to say that there was plenty of work. The best way to prove- it was for the Government or nrivate perry,ns to help them to find work for; these immigrants. A farmer with mon,ey could get on splendidly here, hut so he could in Sweden. He had sent a cutting of Mr. Holman’s speech, with a request that it be handed to the Swedish Anti-Emigration Society.