LOOKING AHEAD.

Evening Star, Issue 24324, 13 October 1942, Page 2

LOOKING AHEAD.

At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association last night two addresses were given that call for close study. One speaker was Mr S. G. Holland, the Loader of the Opposition in Parliament, and the other Mr J. G. H. Somerville, president of the Manufacturers’ Association. Each touched on problems that will have to be faced when peace comes. Among the subjects discussed, one of the greatest importance related to the population of this country. For half a century and more far-seeing men have issued warnings that a great struggle would come for the mastery of the Pacific, and that the southern dominions would be gravely handicapped because of their small populations. Their prdeictions have come true, and the war is upon ns. Australia, with barely seven million people, and New Zealand, with a million and a-half. would be in a sorry way indeed if it were not for the strong arm of the

Homeland and the support that is now being given by the United States. The teeming hordes of Japan are a, terrible and direct menace. A question that arises is as to how the great empty spaces in these southern lands are to bo filled with suitable people. It is evident in the face of the low birth rate that natural increase will not meet the situation. Mr Somerville said the reduction in the size of families was due to physical degeneracy, to selfishness, or to economic conditions. The first and third of these premises may be ruled out, and the trouble can be ascribed to that love of ease and pleasure that overrides higher obligations. There seems to be no doubt that New Zealand will, in tho interests of self-protection, have to resort to immigration on a large scale. A Five Million Club was established in this country some time ago, but tho outbreak of war put a stop to its activities. Mr Holland said last night that this Dominion had a population capacity of five millions, and that may bo the goal aimed at by governments in the ‘future by the use of large-scale migration plans. The Opposition Leader says we have undergone an industrial revolution in this country. That is true, but we can never be entirely self-supporting. The exchange of our primary products for raw materials and other things from Groat (Britain must still he a feature of our industrial life.