POPULATION FOR DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23318, 2 May 1941, Page 8

POPULATION FOR DOMINION

Post-War Migration “GREAT POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANSION” A conviction that if the people as a whole knew of the amenities, climate and possibilities of New Zealand, a large^number would be prepared to migrate to the Dominion after the war, was expressed last night by Mr W. Holmes, a former president _of the TradM Union bongress, in an interview with The P From the time he had landed in New Zealand, the countryside reminded him of Scotland and parts of England, Mr said. He had no desire to intrude, but he felt that New Zealand offered a very great opportunity for development after the war. Without being dogmatic and claiming to know all the details, he could say it would be well for the Dominion’s own future that it should have a heavier population. - ■ “Do you think there will be any greater desire on the part of British workers and the rural population to migrate from England after the war?” Mr Holmes was asked. “It is quite likely that not only our people blit some others will be pleased to find homes here,” replied Mr Holmes. “The possibility is that New Zealand itself will want to increase immigration. If you have to go in for big State schemes of roads and railways and development, a larger population reduces the cost a head of the population.” . Questioned on his views of the suitability of New Zealand farming lands to carry a greater population, Mr Ho}mes said he would have to confess he was not an expert; but it Seemed to him that New Zealand offered facilities for the settlement on the land of a far greater number of persons who were now engaged in rural pursuits. . , , Discussing the point that England might have to maintain its population for defence after the war, Mr Holmes said the difficulties were great. If Britain won the war—-and he had no doubt that it would—and a new world policy of safety against aggression and a combination of the English-speaking countries were arranged, there should be a great chance for development in New Zealand. With its climate and soil, the Dominion offered great possibilities for a growth of pbpuMton. A large population would in itself be a measure of safety for New Zealand.