§ Mr. HUNTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that £6,000 was offered by a person in New South Wales for the purpose of emigrating single men between twenty and forty years of age from the United Kingdom to New South Wales, where these men were required for work in the country districts at the current rate of wages, from 15s. to 20s. a week and their keep; whether he is aware that, although £6 per man has actually been paid for 198 men, only this number were assisted to emigrate by the Central (Unemployed) Body and other societies, and that in consequence nearly £5,000 has been sent back to New South Wales; and whether, in order that the Australian people may not be led to believe that they must go to the Continent of Europe in order to increase their population, he will in the future extend the powers of the Central (Unemployed) Body?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware of the offer referred to. I am informed by the Central (Unemployed) Body that it was impossible to take full advantage of the offer owing to the limited time within which the prospective emigrants had to leave England. No extension of the existing powers of the Central Body in this matter appears to be required.
§ Mr. BURNSI believe the offer was made some time in April, and it was to expire by June 30th. I regret that the offer was not for a longer period. It is no fault of the Central (Unemployed) Body that the whole of this £6,000 offered was not available.