PURITY OF RACE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4691, 28 April 1924, Page 1

PURITY OF RACE.

NEW ZEALAND’S ASSET. AMERICAN DOCTOR’S VIEWS. . "The mixture of pure Scottish and English blood in the New Zealand race, a mixture than which, there is no better, is the basis for building a gr. j at country in these islands," re marked Dr. Francis P. Emerson, of Harvard University, speaking at Auckland on the eve of his departure from New Zealand. Dr. Emerson was much impressed with New Zealand’s great icsources — agricultural, mineral, and climatic together with the pure stock from which tlie people sprang, and what he described as the intelligent settlement of the country. These factors, in combination, would ensure the Dominion’s progress being very rapid. Seldom, in view of present world conditions, was a country so happily situated, as was New Zealand, that she could produce and export beyond her own needs, reserving ample supplies for her own people. The importance of selecting immigrants of a desirable class was regarded as an essential precaution by Dr. Emerson, who had in mind the influx bf undesirable aliens into the United States and the creation of the racial problem, tn America, he remarked, an undesirable class had been admitted for the purpose of filling the mills, with the result that an opposite policy had now been rexerted to—that of restricting, the influx instead of encouraging it. Il was one thing to get a population, and quite another thing to get rid of it. New Zealand, however, was in a position so to control her immigration laws in the' earlier stages of the 'country's: development that a proper mixture ;>f other blood to keep the race progressing could be regulated very easily. Dr. Emerson observed that every--where he had gone he had noted wit.i pleasure the cordial social relationships that seemed to bind the New Zealand people together. *■ It was a distinct contrast to conditions existing among other heterogeneous peoples. The fact that New Zealanders were very largely ofi the same racial origin ' must make social conditions very pleasant, he added. The visitor, had a warm tribute to pay to the work of Dr. Trilby King, whose methods have attracted attention throughout the whole medical world. Dr. King’s work was remarkable, stated Dr. Emerson, not only because of the young life; it saved, but aho because of the impression R made on those lives in later life. Dr. Emerson is particularly interested m Dr Tmby King’s work through his brother, Dr. W. R. P. Emerson, who is eminent in the United States for similar work in the interests of child welfare.