BIGGER POPULATION FOR AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 5

BIGGER POPULATION FOR AUSTRALIA

PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, April 3.

Wide agreement that Australia must increase its population to survive is indicated by a recent survey of public opinion. No less than 93 per cent, of those questioned declared that the Commonwealth must have a great increase in white population in order to be safe from invasion by Asiatic races. The 93 per cent, was split almost exactly into two halves—those ,who advocated more Australian babies and those who wished to encourage immigration as well as larger Australian families. Two-thirds of those favouring immigration wanted only Englishspeaking people to enter their country, but there was considerable support for permitting entry to the Scandinavian peoples and to Russians. A continuation of the “White Australia” policy was unanimously favoured. Bigger Australian families ‘ were advocated by 70 per cent, of those questioned, 40 per cent, favouring four children as an average family. Twentytwo per cent, voted fo- three children, and 20 per cent, considered that there should be at least five children in the average family.

Improved economic conditions, with security of employment and Government financial assistance, were widely advocated to encourage large families. Baby bonuses and Government housing schemes (with a mortgage reduction for each child) were among the schemes suggested. During the last 10 years Australia's birth rate has been below 20 a 1000 of population. Eighty years ago it was 42 a 1000. However, the birth rate has risen steadily since the depression years, when it reached a record low level, 16.4. At 19.5 for the first nine months of 1942. the latest figures available, it is still below the rate for 1929o(/.