THE IMMIGRATION POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8348, 7 February 1913, Page 6

THE IMMIGRATION POLICY

It is not surprising to find that the Hon. W. F. Massey’s proposal to import 25,000 immigrants annually is being received with some suspicion and misgiving in tire larger centres of population, while tho criticism it has aroused has betrayed some striking inconsistencies and contradictions in his reasoning. One writer, for example, regards it as passing strange that tbo honourable gentleman’s remedy for the shortage of labour in the Hawke’s Bay district is tho subsidising and building of more factories. The Napier “ Daily Telegraph,’’ dealing with Mr Massey’s statement of the case, that “ what we want are agricultural settlers and small farmers to take up the lands of the Dominion and become producers,” says very appropriately: ‘‘Surely this is a startling proposition 1 Startling, that is, not because of its sentiment, but because it is difficult to discover where are the lands to bo taken up by the newcomers. Those already in the country, those horn in tho country, and who, many of them, have grown to middle age in the country, cannot get land. So scarce is tho supply that for many years past land leases have had to bo gambled for. There are so many applicants for land, and so little land to meet their needs, that in every case those applying have to abide the result of a ballot necessary to select the lucky few out of the increasing army constituted by the disappointed many. Let u» analyse the proposal. A total of 25,000 immigrants will be equal to five thousand larger families than New Zealand can boast of, where the average is substantially under five. If these five thousand families are to be settled on the land, as many farms will be required. A, hundred acres per family means half a million acres. And it means half a million acres at least moderately accessible by something like roads. Where are these acres to be found? And, be it borne in mind, this need for half a million acres applies to but one year. On the Government’s own showing that area of moderately decent land, with moderately reasonable means of access, will be required every year while the Government is in office. Where is the land? If it exists, why is it so difficult for persons already here, and in the majority of cases born here, to get settlement rights in connection with it? That this country wants immigrants is true. That it also requires fair play and reasonable treatment for those already here is also true. If the Government cannot find land for those here now, how is it to find land for the thousands of families it says it will introduce yearly?”