IMMIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 71, 24 March 1919, Page 10

IMMIGRATION.

SUR GAP IX POPULATION*. (By Telegraph.—Special te "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Trie two thousand -wives which General Richardson estimates will come back with our soklier? from England before demobilisation ends represents the small beginning of a vigorous immigration policy which Xew Zealand will have to undertake if it Ls to go on developing at the pre-war pace. iSoldiers /who returned by he last two drafts mentioned to your correspondent that the relatives of their English wives had in some cases endeavoured to Itave England for '.\e* Zealand with them, but one bar was the very reasonable suggestion that soldiers must come tirst. Another difficulty i 3 xbe high fares. Single third-class is now £39 and £41, reducible by £13 if the passenger is nominated for an assisted passage. The soldier who marries in Kngland gets a passage for his wife at £7, but for a fiancee the cost is £iti. It is obvious that until fares come down substantially, Xew Zealand is going to be handicapped in immigration, but it i* hoped th-at as &oon demobilisation is complete the ships will be handed back •1o their owners, and a substantial reduction made in the passenger fares.

Then New Zealand should enter upon a vigorous immigration campaign, because the country has not only lost over lti.ooo of its men in the war. but Thousands of others have a depreciated capacity owing- to disability, and there has been the great loss through cessation in immigration. Those who came to Npw Zealand during the war years, 1014-IS, totalled 10.577 in excess of the departures, but they wore not fit men, ac the requirements of military service kept that class of useful immigrant ■where he could be called on for duty. In the year prior to the war immigration was pushed ahead, and l4,2l!l represented 'the gain in population through that cause in the twelve months. This was doiible the average of tlie preceding four years, and had it been kept up the country would have gained over 70,000 people. There U a tremendous leeway to make up. but given a vigorous policy, it is evident from what the returning men say regarding the interest taken in New Zealand at 'Home, that there would be a good response if encouraging conditions were offered by tiie Government.