IMMIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1926, Page 4

IMMIGRATION.

SIR A. RUSSELL’S ADVICE. CONFER EN(E RESOLUTIONS, WELLINGTON. February 10. Under three headings. ” The jolt, the money for the jolt, and the man lor the job,” Sir Andrew Russell, who recently returned to New Zealand from a trip to the Old Country, gave an interesting address to-day before a conference called by the Empire Settlement Association to discuss all aspects of the question of Empire migration. Sir Andrew dealt with methods to he adopted in coping with the problem, and expressed the view tlmL youth should he encouraged to come to New Zealand in preference to middle age. Mis own conclusion, said the speaker, was that pioneer work and work of development could not he done through Government departments. The Empire was not built in that: utiv. and lie did not believe ilvov could do it today. Private enterprise always did tilings more cheaply and had its hack to the wall. If private enterprise did not succeed it lost its money. .Red tape was necessarily associated with Government departments, and the cn-

ergotie business 111:111 was not ready to tio liimsell' up with regulations. Tie wanted roam to pla.v bis game, freedom of manoeuvre. ns if, were, lie doubted whether t!ir- (luveninieiit would give its endorsement to development work, blit it mus possible that they might be able ii, set no >neli ;i body as the .‘soulb Africai! Settlers' Organisation, which would give its endorsement. Sir Andrew Uussell advised his hearers not to attack the CJovernmciit's policy. They could point out that there was something wrong with the policy and could educate the public on the point. They should work with and not anginal the Government. Men had told him. at Rome that New Zealand

was selfish in its aspect to migration, in that it wanted only the best men, but ii' their national policy was to succeed it was essential they should 'have the best. " You want voting men," said Andrew. “Tf yon get a young man you can not only turn him into a good workman, but also into what I might term a good Xew Zealander. II you get middle-aged men they will fall into their place, hut they will never become 1 one of us,’ as it were.”