POPULATION NEEDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1938, Page 9

POPULATION NEEDS

STRESSED BY OPPOSITION MEMBERS. SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The need for a more vigorous immigration policy in New Zealand was stressed by several Opposition speakers during the discussion on the estimates of the Labour Department in the House of Representatives yesterday. The question was raised by Mi- .1. Hargest (Opposition, Awarua), who drew attention to a vote of £7BO for passage money for immigrants. He asked if that sum had been spent on bringing carpenters to New Zealand for the Government’s housing scheme, and also inquired whether it was the policy of the Government to bring out more expert tradesmen from overseas.

“There is a widespread feeling,” said Mr Hargest, “that in view of our static population immigration should be encouraged, and that we should bring out more people of a suitable type who would prove to be desirable citizens. These people would bring with them capital and technical skill which could be of great value to the country. 1 understand there have been numerous applications from German Jews who wish to settle in the Dominion and make their homes here. These people might not come under this grant, but I believe that people from Northern Europe, apart from British and Irish migrants, would be the most desirable type as far as New Zealand is concerned.

Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo), said the Dominion was at present experiencing a period of peak prosperity, and the main lack was people. Migration should properly be regarded from the standpoint of Empire development, as the whole question of development was wrapped up with the transfer of people and capital from the older countries.

“We want a larger internal market for our production, both primary and secondary,” said Mr Broadfoot, “and we could certainly do with more migrants from Great Britain. However, we have had many excellent immigrants in the past from various European countries, and we could well give them an opportunity of sending out more of their people.” Mr Broadfoot added that the question of migration was of such importance that the Government should consider setting up a Royal Commission to investigate the whole matter. “We have to look to the Old Country for defence,” Mr Broadfoot said. “If she has a problem of surplus population, it is our duty to offer bur full co-operation. I would be grateful if the Minister could prevail on his colleagues in the Cabinet to see that fairer treatment is given in this respect.” - The Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, said the vote of £7BO on the estimates was to cover certain assisted passages in co-operation with the British Government. As far as the general policy of immigration was concerned, there had been no change.