POPULATION GROWTH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 6

POPULATION GROWTH

* ALLIED PROBLEMS . DISCUSSED PART OF MINISTRY OF WORKS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 7. , ny ma )°r increase .in the population of New Zealand must inevitably be accompanied by a growth in the physical capital of the nation, that is, .in. housing, factories, streets, water supply systems, and other capital, assets,” stated' submissions from the Ministry of Works to-day before the Parliamentary Committee on population.

It was the task of the building and constructional industries to provide the physical assets. The supervision was the function of the Ministry, which was vitally concerned with all questions related to the growth and distribution of population by the determining or influencing of the pattern of physical development. The Ministry was in a position to influence strongly the form of growth by an expanding population by such means as decentralisation. To do so, a_ clearly defined population policy should exist, as should administrative machinery to ensure that the location of industry and places of employment conformed with the population paj-

Much survey and research work should be devoted to deciding the most suitable areas and industries for development and expansion. • Analysis Made The demand for works was being analysed under the headings of Government, local body and housing, the clades being subdivided as follows: land development and improvement, transport and communications, utilities, industrial development, commerce and administration, social and cultural development, housing and defence.

Mr J. S. Hunter, who presented the submissions, said that immediate immigration would require an accentuated housing problem to be faced. The most urgent aspects of-housing, he said, were manpower shortages, materials, and priorities. The Railways Department said that the population pattern, though modified by road transport, was substantially that determined by the choice of rail routes in the past. Any increases in population, it seemed, would expand the existing towns and would not involve railway penetration into areas not now served.

The present rail system could, without undue difficulty, be expanded to meet ,the requirements of a considerably augmented population. The chief limiting factor was power. The known supplies of suitable coal seemed to be limited, but hydro-electric projects should provide a solution.