N.Z. GOVERNMENT AND MIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 292, 10 December 1936, Page 8

N.Z. GOVERNMENT AND MIGRATION.

MR. NASH EXPLAINS. Question of Mutual Trade A Factor. POTENTIALITIES OF DOMINION. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m. 7 LONDON', December 9. Discussing migration at the Royal Empire Society's dinner, where he was the principal guest, Mr. Walter Nash said that from the viewpoint of climate, soil and natural advantages, New Zealand could support a greater population and at the same time raise the standard of living. This appeared to indicate that the country . could absorb more migrants, but it must be remembered that the Government's first duty was to find work for local unemployed. This did not mean the Government would not consider a migration scheme, but it would need careful planning by a competent organisation. Amongst the changes in New Zealand since before the war, was the great increase of output in foodstuffs. This did not mean they had come to tlie limit of possible production. How then, was it necessary to accept as sense and as inevitable a standstill or lowering of the living standard? There already was existing between the Motherland and New Zealand an important amount of reciprocity. The latter's conception of reciprocal trade had been very close to the ideal of free trade whereby each country concerned concentrated on the production or manufacture of the commodities it was most fitted to produce. The result had been that New Zealand's per capita trade with the United Kingdom was the greatest of all the Dominions. He reiterated that her main market was ■the United Kingdom, and New Zealand was now offering credits from sales so that they may be utilised to purchase United Kingdom goods. New Zealand had a reserve of sterling credits that had met, could, and would meet interest charges on British loans which would always be the first charge.