MIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 10

MIGRATION.

PUBLIC APATHY.

REQUIREMENTS OF N.Z.

IXVB MILLION CLUB REPORT.

"We believo that public opinion is as yet uninformed on the question of immigration, but there ie a general feeling in the country that it is time some action was taken to bring about a nrore rapid increase of population than appears possible with the present net reproductive rate," says the report of the migration committee of the New Zealand Five Million Club, of which the Speaker of the House of Representatives, tlio Hon. W. E. Barnard, is president.

"Overlying this general inarticulated feeling there is discernible a more definite thought that is distinctly favourable to an early resumption of immigration, though as far as the form that immigration should take there is again no consolidation of opinion," continues the report in summarising the principal recommendations. "There is naturally some opposition, but this is for the most part open to reason. We have found that_ it is mostly based upon a* misconception of the aims and objects of immigration and considerable confusion of thought on the subject of population generally. We do not think that it will bo possible to get the public to take more than an academic interest in the question. People generally will not bother themselves with more than generalities."

Apathy's Deadweight. The committee said it was impressed with the deadweight of public apathy which was entailed by the existence of an almost total ignorance of the problems of population. It was impressed with the necessity of evolving a series of distinct schemes, complete within themselves, in order to obtain a resumption of- immigration. The economics of immigration had changed considerably in post-war years and a totally different technique involving careful planning was required.

The report eaid that the committee was convinced that the days of the free voluntary movement of people** overseas were ended and that where the pressure came in the past from conditions prevailing in the parent country, to-day the stimulus must come from the recipient country. Appendices had been submitted containing the general outlines of schemes which should be undertaken by the Five Million Club. It was felt that educative work was necessary m much among the members of the club as among the general public. The club •hould use its influence to pereuade the Government to set up a national committee for the purpose of research, as the task was beyond the competence of the club since it called for specialised knowledge in a number of phases of national life. It -was suggested that the dub should undertake the complete handling of one or two relatively email immigration schemes, and that the practical results should b« ueed as arguments for the general question of the early resumption of immigration.

Fundamental!. On examination of the needs of the Dominion the report said that the committee reached the conclusion that there were three fundamental reasons for requiring an addition to the population by means of immigration. r , The first was so that the cost of production of existing industries could be brought to a level where it would compare favourably with similar costs elsewhere by increased production brought about by increased demand. Secondly,, so that new industries could be established without fear of harming exports through a simultaneous diminution of total imports. Thirdly, as a mean* of strengthening the local market for primary products in order , to mitigate the effects of any reduction of the overseas market that might have to be faced in the future. Those three reasons covered both the immediate and future needs of New Zealand. The committee had not considered the more obvious reasons of defence, taxation relief, or the; fuller utilisation of existing physical equipment although they should be noted.