"OUR OWN THE BEST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1938, Page 10

"OUR OWN THE BEST."

THE POPULATION QUESTION.

(To the Editor.)

I "J.C.'s" article on population commends iteelf to all true Xew Zealandere. He pleads, and givee good reasons therefor, that "pur own are the best." This implies that all stepe should Jbe taken to ensure to the rising generations 'the means to efficiently hold their own in this, the land of their birth. This ajraia (as "J.C." points out) impliee the proper handling of our Maori people, who, unlike omjselves, are definitely increasing in numbere cfwing to a high birth rate. For whilst we of European stock are practically stationary in tlfet respect, the Maori is indeed increasing and faultiplyinin this, the land of their But thi* Maori multiplication raises g*» v 9 problems, unless social advantage* accrue wit* it. Health and good housing, and general gt>od environmental conditions, are Without those advantages the Maori's natural increase may bring with it eerioue to both pakeha and Maori. The (activities of the. present Government are to be/ commended for actively prosecuting a vigorous; native land settlement policy, following on the lines marked out by Sir Apirana Ngat a and other recognised leaders of his peoj)le. Yet it would appear—despite the progress made to da*e in i Maori land settlement and its /concomitant problems —that many thousand* of Maoris remain unprovided for. These people, with large families, are landless and Without the resources to establish themselves, f Their condition requires urgent attention} that they should be as in a queue awaiting their turn, so to speak, is not good statesmanship. We are indeed wasting a fine asset -.in delaying their settlement in homes on the hand, -where they may become potential producers, and bo aid the general public good. If it » true tht.t as a people we of Britishi/gtoct u» in a parlous state due to a falling birth rate, ■what advantage is it to bring further British immigrants here to accentuate that condition? In any case, the type of immigrant we require Britain cannot send us. To fill our empty spaces, however, the Maori can indeed aid us if we will so assist him. The Maori thus will become a true and increasingly useful asset. We can thus indeed fill with advantage those same vacant epacee of we formerly deprived the Maori—and since held to r.o advantage to cureelvee. GEO: GRAHAM.