§ 5. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that amongst the inducements held out to persons in this country to invest capital and to settle in the irrigation district of Victoria is the statement in official literature published by the Dominion that the irrigation system eliminates the risk of loss in dry seasons; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding these assurances, the irrigation system broke down this year, the Government or the Water Commission having gambled on the chances of rain and lost; and whether immediate steps will be 1943 taken to secure that the British settlers who were misled by the official prospectus, and who have sustained heavy losses, will be adequately compensated?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is, I believe, no foundation for the statement contained in the question that any publication of the Victorian Government states that all risk of loss in dry seasons is eliminated. The provision made for the water supply for the irrigation areas was based on the lowest flow of the rivers ever recorded, with the addition of what was considered by experts to be an ample margin. During the recent drought, however, the flow of the rivers was far lower than any previously recorded, with the result that some loss was incurred by a small proportion of the settlers. I am informed that the State Government have agreed to compensate these settlers by suspending payment of rent for three years.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill the unfounded statements in the literature be withdrawn?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy information comes, of course, from the Victorian Government, and I am informed there is no statement in their publications to that effect.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHI will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the literature.