Settlers Wanted

In islands and Northern Territory

Letter to the Editor UNDER the heading “Turned Down”, in your March issue, you review the action of the Federal Government in “turning down” the proposal to form i group settlement of Jewish migrants n the plateau country on the mainland )f New Guinea.

This action may be right, when ap )lied to the mainland of New Guinea, is objections may be taken to this by >ther natives having country there also, o which some of the so-called migrants nay find their way later on.

Why not settle migrants and others >n the adjacent Islands there —say, East ern Papua, New Britain, New Ireland, Jew Hebrides, and also the Solomons when federated under one Administra ion); and these peoples would act as ome slight deterrent to other nations •utting in, which is sure to happen if tot sufficiently populated. Moreover, eing on islands, legislation could pre ent them landing in Australia, if not wanted there. Population is urgently ranted; so why not Jewish migrants to ssist the present small communities. ’here would be many capable migrants d make good, to the benefit of the Is inds, and to the commercial benefit of .ustralia.

Again outside of populating these Is mds, it is far more important that opulation be supplied in the Northern erritory. This Territory has just start -1 to put its house in order, by follow ig the New Guinea methods of dividing ito Districts. To do this effectively, >me proper means of subsidising ships! ) connect either with the Southern tates or from Townsville, or even airns, from the Territory Districts, lust be found. The great trouble now to get there quickly and cheaply.

When these Divisions are opened, and ot forgetting to modify the New Guinea irvey fees and transport charges (which ave been the cause of delaying settle ment there, by individual settlers), and icluding a modified free selection scheme >r land, it will mean that there will be rush for land in the Territory.

Population for the islands mentioned, id the Northern Territory, are both ur mtly wanted, and prompt measures iould be taken for settlement. Both are rgent —more urgent, I think, than peo e know. But do everything possible to 3ep the Chinese and Jews off the gold :eas.

I am, etc.,

Safety First.

abaul, 10/5/1939.