THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



of relieving the congestion of cities, staying the decline 

 of rural life, and preventing the further emigration of 

 useful citizens to foreign parts. It is practically a gov- 

 ernment enterprise, conducted through a system of land- 

 banks. 



When the owner of a large estate desires to sell, the 

 government sends a commission to examine and report 

 upon its fitness for colonization. If the report is favor- 

 able the land-bank buys the estate with an issue of bonds, 

 which the government has guaranteed. A part of the 

 fund is paid to the owner and another part reserved to 

 assist settlers. All the work of subdivision, drainage, 

 and other preparation for settlement is done by the gov- 

 ernment, even to the erection of houses and other build- 

 ings. Successful applicants are supplied with seed, live- 

 stock, and provisions until their farms become self-sus- 

 taining. They are asked only to repay the actual cost of 

 their homes and farms and low interest on the invest- 

 ment, the payments extending over many years. In 

 the mean time the bonds are secured by lands and im- 

 provements. The control of the entire enterprise, from 

 start to finish, is held in firm and experienced hands, and 

 it is needless to say that these colonies are successful. 



Australia furnishes an instance of a different kind. 

 Young as it is, its chief cities already feel the pressure of 

 over-population. Such was the case with Adelaide, tho 

 capital of South Australia, in 1894. 



In that year the Parliament of South Australia passed 

 the Village Settlement Bill, setting apart for coloniza- 

 tion certain arid public lands on the Murray river. Tho 

 measure provided for an advance of two hundred and 

 fifty dollars for each member of the colony, but vested 



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