Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,1919. NEED OF IMMIGRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2024, 4 September 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,1919. NEED OF IMMIGRATION.

THE subject of immigration is dealt with in an interesting manner in tlic report of the Parliamentary Industries Committee. The fact that the virile manhood of this country has been sadly depicted in the great wav, says the report, is sufficient warrant for giving consideration to the question as to whether or not the Government should reinstate the policy of assisted immigration. If post-war problems are to be satisfactorily solved there must be a vigorous policy of development, and sufficient labour will not be available even after all Hie soldiers return-. Large numbers of able-bodied Avorkers are required for Hie expeditious prosecution of hydro-electric, railway, reading, irrigation, and other schemes. If labour for this purpose is to be supplemented from abroad it must be from Hie United Kingdom. It is likely that Hie migratory spirit will be strong among the soldiers, many of whom are known to be contemplating emigrating to the overseas Dominions. These men would constitute Hie most virile of the population, and would be of special value for developmental works. The committee does not recommend a policy of indiscriminate assisted immigration or Hie adoption of: any course calculated to produce a surplus of any class of labour loading to unemployment or reduction of wages. What is specially wanted at this juncture is sufficient labour to carry out the developmental work. There need be no apprehension as to disorganisation of the labour market on the completion of such undertakings, for the works could not be all completed at the same time, and if a forward- policy were put into operation the work upon which the labour would be employed would itself open up many new avenues of employment. New railways will mean additional land settlement. Hydro-electric schemes will develop industries and bring new ones into existence. Tariff adjustments should materially assist in .the same direction. These things mean increased production with increased prosperity and opportunity for, employment. The committee therefore recommends that haring ascertained as far as can be done what is the probable shortage of . labour for carrying on our developmental operations, every effort be made to attract and assist to come to this co-

uni.rv a sufficient number of suitable persons who will be available for work upon these operations. To, achieve this end it is necessary to send -two competent men to select and arrange for such suitable immigrants as may be determined upon. The committee also recommends, in view of the undoubted difficulty in securing domestic help, that a similar course be adopted in connection with the immigration of if suitable class of women, under the superintendence of two or more capable women. The recommendation made on this question is subject to the strictest test which will ensure that the persons assisted are physically, mentally, and morally desirable. The committee strongly supports any course that may be necessary (1) to exclude undesirables, whatever their country of origin, and (2) to preserve the purity of the race.