Selected Immigrants And The R.S.A.

Chronicle (Levin), 17 March 1949, Page 4

Selected Immigrants And The R.S.A.

Broadly speaking the R.S.A. was opposed to immigration schemes for New Zealand while there still remained a housing shortage. However, it had never objected to good British stock and in particular returned British servicemen being brought out. This observation was made .by'Mr. E. Hamilton-Mitchell, this district's vice-president on the Dominion executive of the N.Z.R.S.A., when speaking at the quarterly general -meeting of the local branch last night. It was realised, however, that immigration was tied up with defence. It had to be seen that it was a matter of life or death to the Dominion. Naturaliy the R.S.A. and the Dominion would prefer to see British peop'e continuing to be brought out, but this would only mean the •draining of the Mother Country, which could ill alford to snare its ma'npower. It was becoming increasingly obvious that if New Zealand and Australia did not P0Pu" late their countries fully they might lose them, warned the speaker. Naturaliy, one would not then be able to go to the beach and be the only person on it withm 50 vn.rds. but some sacrifices had to

be matle. It seemed that selective immigration was the only answer, he added. There had been spnnklings of ot'her races in New Zealand before and their grandsons had eventually • turned out to be true - New Zealanders. He cou . d foresee a similar result over the years, if a selective scheme was lntro'duc'ed.