The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954)(about) |
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Thursday 5 March 1936
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NEW MIGRATION ORGANISATION
Distinct From New Settlers' League
A conference of public organisations convened by the Royal Society of St. George, which in January adopted a resolution reaffirming the urgent ne-
cessity for a resumption of British migration to Australia, decided last night, by 22 votes to 14, to form its own organisation, and not entrust advocacy of its policy to the New Set- tlers' League. Whether the league should be the instrument to execute the aims of the conference, which rep- resented religious, political, national, ex-servicemen's and patriotic bodies, was the point at issue when the con- ference adjourned in January. At the resumed meeting last night, Brigadier-General L. C. Wilson was voted to the chair. On behalf of the Chamber of Com- merce, Mr. F. B. Bolton said that a new body should be formed. The New Settlers' League had identified itself with settlement on the land, but a broader policy, to embrace skilled artisans, was required. Supporting this contention, Mr. H. M. Russell, M.L.A., said that already there was over-production in primary industries, and an endeavour should be made to develop secondary indus- tries through migration. The utilisation of the machinery created by the New Settlers' League was advocated by Mr. J. Loney (Toc H movement). The energy expended In forming a new body, he said, could be better employed in supplementing the efforts of an existing organisa- tion.
CANON GARLAND'S DENIAL "I deny emphatically that our or- ganisation confines itself to inducing immigrants to go on the land," said Canon Garland (president of the New Settlers' League), who cited instances of the league's having brought to Queensland plumbers, carpenters, and bricklayers. He also denied sugges- tions that because the league received a small Government subsidy it would be afraid to stand up to Governments on vital points of policy. After a vote had been taken, Canon Garland declined nomination as a member of a committee of the new organisation. The personnel of the committee appointed (with power to add) was Brigadier-General Wilson, Archbishop Duhig, Messrs. H. M. Rus- sell, M.L.A., A. C. Elphinstone, F. B. Bolton, H. Highfield, and Miss Gwen Hughes.