MIGRATION AND TRADE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22109, 3 June 1937, Page 12

MIGRATION AND TRADE

♦ NEW ZEALAND POLICY STATED MR NASH ADDRESSES STUDENTS OF BONAR LAW COLLEGE CIUOSI OVB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, May 8. While it appeared that there was not much hope of New Zealand taking emigrants from the Old Country at the present time, it did not mean that the door was closed, said Mr W. Nash (Minister for Finance), when he spoke to students at the Bonar Law College, at Ashbridge. His was one of a series of addresses on Empire relations, and it was entitled “Migration and Imperial Trade.” - Mr Nash said that from almost-every point of view it seemed that New Zealand could stand a population much greater than at present, and provide a standard of living even higher than that enjoyed by New Zealanders today. What. then, was wrong? It seemed that it was the organisation of the interchange of goods called our economic system. s To the New Zealand Government, it seemed certain that not only the wealth and progress of New Zealand, but that of other countries could be advanced by additional trade between these countries on a reciprocal basis. If it was not possible for New Zealand to safeguard its future as far as agricultural exports were concerned, then inevitably it would be driven to the positi9n where it would have to organise its internal resources to provide for the absorption of its young people into employment. and to produce those goods which the Dominion would otherwise be able to import from its expanding exports. ' “In the short run,” said Mr Nash, “this possible development does not offer a great prospect of resumed migration. though I should point out that there are no hindrances 'at present to migrants coming to New Zealand from the British Isles. But it seems to me inevitable that with such a reorganisation of our productive resources? greater labour power will be necessary. and here the prospects of migration might be more bright. “Unemployed still Remain” “There is still a body of unemployed men in New Zealand, and while these men are employable no Government could consider bringing in additional workers under a general scheme. Particular schemes, however, will receive the definite consideration of the New Zealand Government. On general grounds, we feel that New Zealander can justify their occupation of the Dominion only by utilising its resources and giving those whose need is greater an opportunity also to assist in their utilisation.”