DRIFT TO THE NORTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1926, Page 6

DRIFT TO THE NORTH.

Preliminary figures compiled by the census-takers show that the North Island keeps up its relatively high gain in population as compared with the South Island. The total gain in population has been 129,707, as compared with the 1921 total, exclusive of Maoris—a

gain of 10.CS per cent —the North Island having increased by 100,052, and the South by 35,449. When the 1921 census

was taken the North had CO.SI per cent of the people, and the South 39.19. Now the North has 63.89, and the South 36.61. The figures show that while the South

has made substantial progress, the North, has greater opportunities for development, aud offers more attractions to the new arrival There are still areas in this island where relatively cheap land can be obtained, while in the old-settled South there i= k*s opportunity for the pioneer. It is clear from the figures that the whole of the increase in the North cannot, be attributed to the attractions of the land, and that the urban drift also continues. For while the increase in the North Island is just over 10(1.000. the two chief eitic* account for over 16,(>00, while other centres, such as Hamilton. Palmerston North, and Wanganui. account for a large proportion of the increase. To the development of secondary industries in the towns is attributable some of the increase, while naturally rural development also calls for greater numbers of workers in the ports. Steps must be taken 'by the Government to ensure that a correct proportion between urban and rural population is maintained, and that the cities do not become so overgrown as Sydney and Melbourne have become. An intelligent immigration policy will greatly assist to preserve the correct balance. Iβ it hopeless to ask the Government to replace the present chaos by a definite and well-considered policy?