CONCERN EXPRESSED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 24, 8 November 1940, Page 8

CONCERN EXPRESSED.

THE TREND OF POPULATION. (Per Press Association). NEAV PLYMOUTH, November 7. Long-range.steps to meet the imminence of a serious decline in New Zealand’s population wore advocated by the Associated Chambers of Commerce last night. One remit urged the encouragement of larger families and increased immigration, and another more substantial allowances for families. Remits were: “That this conference again draws attention to the. imminence of a serious decline in, New Zealand’s population which would •he fraught with grave consequences and urges, as a matter of immediate and vital importance, that the Government set up a. Royal Commission of experts, or a, similar non-party body, to make •a; long-range survey and to formulate schemes regarding both, the encouragement of larger families and increasing immigration on a substantial scale.” (Canterbury). “Ini order more equitably to distribute tine burden of taxation as affecting the family maim, this co.nfeiciico urges the Government to increase om a, graduated scale, the pnesent children's allowance for income tax purposes and also to grant family concessions for uthe Social Security charge and 1 National Security tax.” (Hokitika.

The whole thing was disquieting, commented Air S. E. Afnir (Canterlury). The 1936 census showed that there were 22,000 fewer children under 10 tlian. there wore in 1926. In 1936 there ■vvcjita 134,000 people between 20 and 24, and it was calculated that in 20 years there would be 117,000 or fewer. -Some, people might, question immigration when the country was faced with the- problem of rehabilitating soldiers. Imt lie suggested it was part- of the same problem. Factors he considered should be investigated wore family tax allowances, sales tax,(.employment preferences, and. rents. . Al|v M. G. C. AlcCaul (Wellington) suggested that a special tax should bo levied cn unmarried people, and on those- with fowler children than tivm, the. proceeds to be paid into a fund for the benefit of those with more than -two children.