IMMIGRATION AND PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 8

IMMIGRATION AND PRODUCTION

Sir,—Your leading article in to-day'« issue is to be welcomed, touching, as it does, 011 the question which is the most vital one confronting New Zealand, But hero again you only ileal with ihe Mailer from ait academical point of view, without hinting at any 'definite means by whiclr the problem may be You rightly deprecate any policy of immigration which will tend towards the increase of the population of our towns, and everyone who has seriously considered the question, will realise that an. immigration policy which is not based upon a ■ policy ol' rural 'settlement and development is more likely to add to our problems than solvo them. Jt,is generally understood that tho trend of the legislation of this country has had ihe effect of discouraging tho investment of outside capital here, and' we are reduced to depending upon Stale enterprise for our, future development. But wo look in vain for any signs of either brains or energy in the administration of our affairs, while public opinion is both uninstructed and -apathetic. Meanwhile wo arc likely to miss (ho greatest opportunity "for increased settlement which has yet been presented- to us, unless some definite policy bo adopted and energetically urged. In this connection I would like to'draw your.attcnton to .a letter expressing my, views on the question which appeared in your local evening contemporary 011 February 30 last. . At least, the suggestion;) made therein are definite and constructive, arid, might form a basis upon which to build a dearly-defined policy. : In the abscnce of any definite policy amongst'our statcsmeu, is it too'much to hope that the I'ress : may endeavour to instruct public opinion and help towards building up our future by trying to solvo our problems, instead of merely enunciatinf litemP —I am, etc., BRITANNICUS. / June 5,