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Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1926, Page 2

Lord Bun nit am, at the head of the Britisth Press, who toured the Dominions lately, has been saying some nice things about Australia and Xe" Zealand on his return Home. The compliments have boon very luippil.' turned, and coming from such a voice and addressed as they will he to the press of the Empire generally, the oversea Dominions will receive an extra boost. Australia and New Zealand can do with all the publicity of the character referred to. it can receive; and for licit attention much thanks. However, the remarks of Lord Burnham have something of attention lor the people overseas. lie expressed doubt its to whether the Dominion was showing sufficient, activity in building up its mail-power, 'flic matter is ore of the first importance, for it closely a fleets the development of the country and the power to hold it snould occasion arise. A steady increase in population, remarks the “Lyttelton Times,” would not only lower the per capita debt and light.eii the burden of taxation. hut would also strengthen the local, markets, and probably add to the volume of our export trade. The Dominion cannot absorb immigrants oil the scale possible in Australia and Canada, for, as Earl Jollboe stated at the gathering in London, this is a small country. Rut no call support a much larger population than tie have at the present tinw and the most effective way to proceed is to build up those industries which offer employment to the maximum number of ] conic. This is one aspect of the campaign now in progress lor the development ol local enterprises which should he given close attention. '1 he secondary industries of the Dominion could oilier employment to increasing numbers of immigrants provided consumers would adopt a policy ol preference for goods manufactured within the country. Such a policy would ho henolieial financially and in other ways, hut one of the most important things, from the national point of view, would lie industrial expansion leading to the employment of larger numbers, and the consequent sGciigtlieitiitg of the man-power of the country, it will ho seen that much depends upon the action of the consumer. Our secondary industries will he able to offer more and more employment provided they are .steadily supported. A larger population would make the country more self-reliant, and belter able to defend itself in the event of trouble in the Pacific. Important issues depend upon the policy of the individual citizen. If local industry is encouraged, there will he steady expansion, leading .to increased employment, and! growth in national stature. These are sonic of the larger aspects which make the claim for the support of New Zealand industries of such vital importance. The power to encourage industrial development lies with the individual. and. exercised aright, if will ensure the industrial, financial, and national stability of this part of the Empire.