THE PRESSING NEED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 77, 26 January 1914, Page 4

THE PRESSING NEED.

Aften the closer settlement of the land, the greatest and most pressing need in N'evv Zealand is more people. Instead of a population of n million we should have double or treble the number, 'l'ho country is agriculturally and pastorally one of the richest in tho worli, and could comfortably sustain a population of even ten millions. The natural increase in our papulation, owing to the decline in the birth-rate, is very small, though the very lor.' death-rate—the lowest, indeed, in the world—keeps us in line with oilier countries less favored climatically and otherwise than wc. If we are. to materially augment our population it is obvious that we must go outside aiul secure immigrants. We v.ant, of course, the best, and if proper measures are taken they can be secured in Britain without dilliculty. Some time ago, Mr. Sedgwick brought out a number of lads, all of whom were found positions on farm*, and have turn-xl out, with a lew exceptions, remarkably well. The demand for these boys was considerable, and had ten times the number been available places could easily have been found for them. The then Labor .Minister (Mr. J. Millar), as a result of the representations of the labor unions, who, of course, objected to any form of labor coming in any number to tho country—an objection based on the fallacious idea that their own position- would thereby be iaiperillcd—did not give Mr. Sedgwick that encouragement that he hud a right to expect, and Mr. Sedgwick transferred his ell oris where they were adequately appreciated, with successful results. Lately the tiovenimcnl. have evinced a Keener interest in the immigration question, and besides securing a comparatively large number of adult immigrants of a very suitable type, have had shipped out a batch of lads for whom positions had previously been found on farms al a minimum remuneration of 7s «d a week for the first year. 1 lie boys arrived i:i Auckland the other day. This did not suit the book of the labor unions, who ever since have been declaiming against everyone concerned tor introducing "contract," "cheap" and "sweated" labor. The liural Workers' t'mun took it very much to heart, and i'ctnally despatched its secretary to Auckland lo interview the lads with a view to persuading them to break their agreements and throw iu their lot with the union, which promised to find employment for the hoys at XI a week or to keep them until positions had been found. It says much for the character of the lads I hat tiny refused to enterlam the. t nion's not disinterested proposals, and have gone on to their variI "lIS destinations. To say that the lads are to be "sweated" is mere fudge, T] lo fld a week is but a minimum. There is nothing to stop I he boys from being pa ill, a pound a week if they are worth it. The lads doubtless are glad of the opportunity of learning the work and o' making n beginning in a new country ui:der such settled and favored condi-

tions. It is quite unreasonable to expect them to bo paid standard wage* until they are able to cum them. Many ot our mOht successful farmers in Taranaki received nothing for their services during the first one or two years; indeed, we know or several who actually paid premiums. Tile attitude of the liural .Workers' Union is as unreasonable ns.it is contemptible, and we hope the Government will go on bringing out men, women and boys by "the hundred. We can do with more than, unfortunately, we are likely to get. The country is crying out for labor. In T.ir.v liaki alone there is room for a thousand such lads as the Government have recently brought out. The unpatriotic and foolish vaporings of the labor unions in regard to this vital necessity of the country should go unheeded.