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Wednesday, 23 November 1910

Mr PARKER MOLONEY (INDI, VICTORIA) . - I notice in connexion with the item relating to advertising the resources of Australia, to which the honorable member who has just resumed his seat has referred, that the sum appropriated last year was £20,000, whilst the amount spent was nearly £8,110. So that £12,000 of the money appropriated was not spent. It struck me as being very peculiar that the honorable member should try to throw blame upon those who were not occupying the Treasury benches when the opportunity of spending the money was available.

Mr Sampson - This Government had the machinery for spending it.

Mr PARKER MOLONEY (INDI, VICTORIA) - The Government now occupying the Treasury benches was only in office during two months of the last financial year, whereas the previous Administration had ten months in which to devote to practical uses the money apportioned for advertising the resources of Australia. I do, however, agree with the honorable member that a great deal more should be done in the direction of advertising our resources. We have a great deal of evidence to show the almost total ignorance which prevails in many other countries with regard to the Commonwealth. I read recently a report by Mr. Elwood Mead, the Victorian immigration expert, who has been travelling round the world. He stated that while he was in Italy he was talking with an Italian about immigration to Australia. The Italian said that he was inclined to come to this country, but, unfortunately, he was acquainted with only two languages, Italian and English - he knew no Australian ! That is one example which goes to show the great ignorance concerning Australia prevailing in other parts of the world. I shall not discuss at length the sugges- tions which might be made regarding this subject, but there are many honorable members, including myself, who believe that this Parliament ought not to be satisfied with the present position of affairs. When the land tax begins to operate, there will be a considerable quantity of land available for settlement.

Mr Thomas Brown - There are very many land seekers now in the country who cannot get an opening.

Mr PARKER MOLONEY (INDI, VICTORIA) - I know that ; but it is generally recognised that large areas will soon become available for settlement. There are excellent lands within a couple of hours of the sea-board which are at present absolutely locked up, in the hands of a few individuals, and, consequently, not available to those who would be glad to use them. It is when the tax on large estates begins to operate that lands will be available; and I shall not be satisfied unless strenuous steps are taken in the . way of inducing desirable immigrants to come to this country.

Mr Joseph Cook - In the meantime, in the places where we want immigrants most, there is land available.

Mr PARKER MOLONEY (INDI, VICTORIA) - The honorable member may know of such places, but I do not. I should like some information as to the arrangement which was made by the previous Government with Pathe Freres to take photographs of some of our industries and exhibit them as a desirable advertisement for the country.

Mr Batchelor - That business was completed over twelve months ago.

Mr PARKER MOLONEY (INDI, VICTORIA) - There are in Australia many industries which, I venture to say, are totally unknown in other parts of the world. For instance, at Wangaratta, there is a foundry which employs a goodly number of men, and turns out dredges, one of which is now in course of construction in order to be sent to Siam. I do not think that there are very many people in Victoria who know of the capabilities of this establishment; and it strikes me as an excellent idea that Path6 Freres might photograph this dredge as it was being shipped. There is no doubt that such pictures would not only advertise this particular firm, but show to the people in other countries the nature of the enterprises in Victoria, and Australia generally. There are many other industries in my electorate, and elsewhere ; and these should not only be protected through the Customs' House, but encouraged in every other way that may present itself. I hope that something more will at once be done to advertise the resources of the country.

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