INCREASE NEEDED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 3

INCREASE NEEDED

PRODUCTION AND POPULATION. RANGITATA IRRIGATION^SCHEME (Special to the “ Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “There are people who think that we have reached the limit of the development of our resources in New | Zealand, that we should now accept a stalemate and * stay put.’ It gives me the cold shivers to think of this insane, defeatist attitude,” declared the Hon. R. Semple (Minister for National Security and for Public Works) in an interview yesterday. “We have a huge country here, practically empty, and if we are not willing to develop it someone else will.

“We must have more production and more population. The two must go hand in hand. I know every inch of this country, and I know its real value from the point of view of production,” said Mr Semple. “I sometimes feel dismayed when I hear people talk about ceasing our activities in construction and production. This country is only now reaching the fringe of its possible development.” Mr Semple was speaking with special reference to land drainage schemes at Ashburton and in the Lake Ellesmere district, both of which he hopes will greatly increase the productivity of the province. “This is the kind of work that must be undertaken in future. It will double the food production of our land and increase population.”

The completion of the Rangitata irrigation scheme could synchronise with such land improvement schemes as that proposed at Ashburton, and together they would prove a wonderful boon to the Dominion, went on Mr Semple. Scientific records showed how irrigation had worked wonders in other countries, increasing the productivity of land five or even eight times. Large areas of Canterbury, Central Otago and Marlborough could share in those same benefits.

“Only an increased population will enable us to develop our resources to the maximum l We have a priceless heritage here and it is our duty to develop it. Population is the surest defence for our country. Another million and a quarter people and we would be able to defend it against any attacker, but we are living in a fool’s paradise if we think we can defend it with a mere handful of people.”