SOME DIFFERENCES 77 



they imply special policies on the parts of Government and 

 Administrations. 



Do we realise that the voice of the tropic half of 

 Australia is drowned in the torrent of the temperate ? It 

 may be possible to misrepresent opinions and to obscure 

 the fair view of things, to defeat aspirations ; but are we to 

 be denied the right of being heard and of explaining our- 

 selves. Politicians to whose loud and profane voices 

 electors listen, have declared that North Queensland shall 

 become a desolate and silent wilderness, rather than that 

 their views shall be gainsaid. Do such as these reflect that 

 North Queensland is a fruitful country, capable of produc- 

 ing food and immense wealth, and giving employment to 

 millions, and that other nations will not stand idly by and 

 see the worth of so much land wasted because of the 

 vanity of men who do not, and who apparently will not, 

 endeavour to comprehend the magnificence of its extent 

 and the width of its capabilities. The world is not so vast 

 that any part of it still less a part so situated and so 

 highly favoured as this can be left unpeopled. If not 

 peopled by Australians or those of British blood, it will 

 assuredly be by people for whom the average Australian 

 entertains but scant respect. 



Australians cannot with justice complain when the good 

 old folks at home blunder in their geography and percep- 

 tions, the while that so much local misapprehension prevails. 



Error was ingrained in the youthful days of middle- 

 aged Australians. Their school-books told them in swing- 

 ing rhyme that they lived in a world of undiscovered souls, 

 that 'twas Heaven's decree to have these lost souls brought 

 forth ; that man should assert his dignity and not allow 

 "brutes" to look upon him. Discoveries are still being 

 made. Heaven's decree is replaced by the decree of wild 

 talkers, the dignity of man is found to be the vanity of a 

 paid politician, and but few of the " brutes " of Australia 

 are left to look down upon anything. But there are some 

 of saving grace who frankly acknowledge shame upon find- 

 ing how little they really know of their native country. 



