FALLING IMMIGRATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 718, 18 July 1929, Page 10

FALLING IMMIGRATION

NEW ZEALAND BOYS FIRST INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Wed. The Minister of Marine, the lion. J. G. Cobbe, resuming the debate on the Address-in-lleply, said that it was estimated that the number of immigrants to New Zealand during the coming year would be considerably reduced. A certain amount of feeling had been aroused because the Government would not assist public schoolboys to come to New Zealand, but tho position was that there were boys of our own to be placed on the land. The Minister hoped to be able to do something later in that connection.

Regarding secondary industries, said Mr. Cobbe, preference should be given to New Zealand products. The chief difficulty of the manufacturers was the apathy of the New Zealand people. The Government would encourage secondary industries as much as possible. The position regarding imports in New Zealand was worthy of close consideration as showing the direction in which our trade was tending. There was too great a balance of trade in favour of the United States. Our relations with Canada in this respect provided a pleasing contrast and the appointment of a Trade Commissioner in Canada was a gratifying step. The Government felt that a large volume of trade could be done with Canada with products not being supplied at present. One of these products was agricultural seeds, and it was possible that this industry would assume large proportions. Mr. Cobbe also referred to trade with Japan and the Dutch East Indies.