THE FIRST MILLION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2142, 18 March 1908, Page 1

THE FIRST MILLION.

Will New Zealand havo -a Million Day when the population makes the modest leap required to -ten thousand? By 31st December tlio inhabitants of those islands totalled 959,071, and by to-day the odd one so faithfully recorded by tlio RegistrarGeneral, lias been largely increased. \Ve are probably now over 990,000, sailing fast for the million port-. At the end of fast year the European staple was listed at 929,000 Maoris 47,731, Cook Islanders 12,340. Not long ago we were striving for an export of £20,000,000; that ambition lias come to pass, and now all eyes are fixed on wiping out, tho deficit of ten thousand which stands between us and -a , millionhood. New Zealand has worked hard- for i.b million. The -present population -is, of course, largo compared with the figures of half a- century ago, bii/t- the present aggregate is not stupendous for lands rich and 'broad, good enough to attract- immigrants in battalions. The growth has merely been steady since the days when a few white men built raupo* whares on the sites of the four* chief cities. For thatstoady development the more flia-nks. New Zealand’s position in midocean, rather out of the track of the tramps, has saved it- from -affording a happy hunting ground for the degenerates of Europe. This country has never been a dumping ground for the scum and avasto of the Old World. Therefore -when the million _ Joes come, it should- bo a good million, unless the Government-, itching for those coveted round numbers, lures in hosts of immigrants, reg-ardile&s of their quality.