During the first years of settle- be hi ment: in Australia, State assisted immigration was one of the ime portant functions of each separate States' government. Then in 1873) Victdria ceased ty" give: assistance! to induce an incoming population, in 1886 South Australia followed suit and in 1891 also Tasmania.
few South Wales discontinued the policy in 1887, but made provision for the passages of such wives and children whose _bread-camers: had come out previous to that date. A small number of migrants, 1,994, arrived in 1888 and 1899 after' which all assistance was discontinued by the States until 1906. The effect of the South War was such that the net migration returns for 1900 and the five years previous" showed a decrease of 945; The year ending 1900 by no less than 10,546, By 1906 even without State assistance the population had recuperated to the extent of having a net increase of migrants numbering, 26,683. 'Then' once again a scheme for assisted migration come into operation.
The net increase of arrivals over departures went steadily up until 1915, when it lost ground under! the influence of war conditions. The figures for 1912 were considerably in advance of those of 1925, with the result Mr. Thomas of—the House of Representatives has asked, why?—He has told of the adventures of Mr. Cann, and the affairs of the Migration Department are be spring cleaned. Sir Victor Wilson who obtained good results for Australia at Wembley has only a short period in office, till June, when his term in the Senate ended, but great things are expected. of him, when he takes over the direction of migration.
The War of the Motor Trade Revisal of tariff rates has been one of the most strenuous duties of the Federal Parliament' during. the Last month. Most of the fighting has been between the two section: of the Government's own benches; Those supporting the Ministry and its protectionist policy and the outlaws who numbered six in all, enthusiastic freetraders. The Labour party to a man supported the Government and all protection offered to Australian trades. Many amusing incidents broke the monotony of the debates, and samples of Australian and imported goods wore exhibited side by} side in the Chamber. All these little shows of goods made quite a change in the usually sombre scene, the only addition needed was a few smart maniyuins to show off the textile exhibits 'One of the shortest, and yet! most fierce fights was' upon the question of motor chassis. *The issue lay between the British and American firms as Australia does not make motor chassis. It was argued out in the face of the facts that the average motor chassis coming into Australia pays 123 per cent, while the chassis assembled in England can be operated upon at cheaper rates by 7h per cent. It is the general rule for American chassis to be assembled in Australia. The Minister for Customs, Mr. Pratten,—speakinz upon the proposals said, "These duties are designed to give the British motor industry the maximum of encouragement. We have had a very fair development of American assembling. The marine between their assembled and una: sembled chassis under the old tariff being 24 per cent. In the new one the margin between those cars is 5 per cent. If we have had that great development under 24, how much greater will be the development under five?"
Mr, Pratten also says that, "He had information, and would" show 1¢ it to any doubter, that the British' firms were already assembling here and would assemble much more."
Some members demanded that every Possible part required in connexion with motorcars, which was made in any degree in Australia, should aly protected. Tyres were an item specialized in the plea of these honourable gentlemen, as 50 much interest had been aroused in Australian industrial circles in regard to the motor trade, it "may!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.