MIGRATION TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 5

MIGRATION TO N.Z.

PLANNED SCHEME ADVOCATED

VIEWS OF EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION WELLINGTON, May 7. “There is no hope of an early solution of the manpower shortage from ♦he natural increase in the population Th e on -* y alternative is to bring in suitable immigrants from overseas,” said a statement by the New Zealand Employers’ Federation submitted at to-day’s sitting pf the Parliamentary Committee on Population. The adoption of a planned scheme o» immigration, with preference to intending migrants from Great Britain, Holland, and Scandinavian countries, was recommended by the federation. The statement from the employers was presented by Mr D. F. Lagan, assistant to the secretary of the federation “Unless there is a considerable increase in the supply of labour within the near future,” he said, “we shall either have to be content with fewei goods and services, which means a lower standard of living, or many of our public works, including housing, will have to oe considerably slowed or may in some cases be postponed for many years to come.” The Commonwealth Government recently announced an agreement with the British Government under which free passages would be granted British servicemen and their dependants, and assisted’ passages for civilians. Employers generally could see no reason why the New Zealand Government should not have a similar arrangement, and could only conclude there was some influence being brought to hear to stay the Government’s hand in this matter. Housing and rehabilitation had been suggested as a reason for inaction, but if New Zealand waited till housing and rehabilitation plans were complete it would be too late. .

“The present population of the Dominion is inadequate. It does not appear possible to rectify the position immediately by the natural increase, said Mr Lagan. “In the circumstances a planned scheme of immigration is recommended as the only alternative. Consideration should be given to intending immigrants from Great Britain. Holland, and Scandinavian countries, with preference to workers in the building, coal mining, and skilled metal trades, bushmen, and workers for primary industries, and those in similar essential categories. Preference for Single Men “In view of accommodation difficulties, and the current differential between males and females revealed in the recent census figures, single men should receive the highest priority and after them whole families, where children are in or approaching the 14-18 age group. The selection should not be confined to industrial workers alone, as in addition to an obvious increase in the home market, primary industries will have to maintain as far as possible our export position, which is dependent almost entirely on primary production. It is vital that our exportable surplus be not reduced in any way.

“The current trend towards decentralisation of industry should be fully encouraged by the State ahd local authorities, with a view to bringing about a better distribution of population, assuring to F the people employed in rural industries the many obvious advantages of such a policy. Economic conditions in the Dominion should tend toward the encouragement of earlier marriages. Every assistance should be given those with families of three or more children in order to ensure adequate production of all those goods essential to our standard of living, and to maintain our social security system and services. We should encourage the building up of our population to such an extent that our secondcty industries will receive sufficient support to enable them to meet fully'the needs of the people, and thus enable the Dominion to become more »elf-supporting and independent.”