DRIFT TO NORTH

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23940, 6 May 1943, Page 4

DRIFT TO NORTH

SOUTH ISLAND’S YOUTH APPEAR TO PROGRESS LEAGUE A revival of activities by the Port and Tunnel Road Committee was indicated last evening by Mr W. S. MacGibbon. when speaking at a meeting of the Canterbury Progress League, and he stated that a large conference would be called in Christchurch in the near future to further this project. Mr MacGibbon’s remarks were promoted after hearing statements by Messrs J. Tail and H. Brake, of the Labour Utilisation Committee, who emphasised the importance of additional housing and the founding of new industries in the Greater Christchurch area. The tendency of the Government had been to centralise too much in Wellington, said Mr Mac Gibbon, who said that Wellington was situated in a dangerous earthquake belt. For that reason he advocated the removal of certain of the Government departments to the South Island, and preferably to Christchhurch. Something would have to be done, he said, to prevent the drift of young people, whom he described as “the cream of Ihe South Island’s youth,” to the North Island. Some of them could be usefully emoloyod if such departments were removed to Christchurch. “It is up to us to advertise throughout New Zealand that the South Island docs exist,” he said. Mr Mac Gibbon emphasised that he was against the defeatist attitude of some South Islanders who contended that the drift of trade to the North Island could not be prevented. Mr Tait said he had been informed that the Government proposed to build 20.000 houses in the North Island, and principally in Wellington, also that the South Island would have to provide the labour required. “We object to this concentration of everything in the North Island.” he said. "There is a tremendous field available for expansion in and near Christchurch with cheap land and power. Are we doing anything about it? Not only should the Government be invited to extend some of its schemes here, but private industrial enterprise should also be encouraged." Mr A Williams: I am afraid that the South Island is gradually being pushed further and further towards Stewart Island. (Laughter.l Mr Brake, the other member of the deputation, also appealed for the support of the league to bring the claims of the South Island more prominently before the public. This speaker also objected to the transfer of so much manpower and material to the north. "Christchurch is slipping back.” he said, “and it is up to us all to stop it.”

A special committee was set up to go into the whole problem, and to confer with other interested bodies.