Wanted—Rebels For Dunedin

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30265, 18 October 1963, Page 10

Wanted —Rebels For Dunedin

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, October 17. “A few rebels—that’s what you need down here to stir things a10ng....” “And I mean it,” said Sir John Allum, a former Mayor of Auckland, who arrived in Dunedin today.

This was Stir John Allum’s reply to a question on the future of Dunedin and its much publicised problems. Looking back over 50 years of development in New Zealand, Sir John Allum, aged 78, said progress depended on the ‘‘punch of the people.” ‘"Mee Auckland,” he said. "A lot has been done by overseas interests but there has also been tremendous action by local people. “It’s all in the enthusiasm of the people,” he said. On the drift to the north of population., Sir John Allium said: ‘‘The herd instinct — everyone follows the crowd. “People also like to follow the sun. Auckland is subtropical and a very nice place to live in. “But the best advice I would give to a young couple is to take up farming in Southland,” he said.

The drift of population was something in a democracy which could not be con-

trolled. “The people make a choice to go somewhere and they go. “I do believe that it would be much better for New Zealand if there was a better balance of density of population.” x , , Another problem was that manufacturers were inclined to establish their factory in the areas of greatest density of population. "If we struck hard times things would sort themselves out. Climate would not matter very much. People would go Where thii'’jgs need doing,” said Sir John Allum.