Sharp fall in N.Z. migration figures

Press, 16 August 1976, Page 4

Sharp fall in N.Z. migration figures

PA Wellington New Zealand’s population suffered a net migration loss of 113 in the year ended June 30, according to provisional figures released on Friday’ by the Government Statistician (Mr E. A. Harris ».

The loss compares with a migration gain of 27,768 in 1974-75, and a jrain of 28,406 in 197374. During the three months since April I, 1976, the net migration loss was 36,306, compared with 26,340 and 24,465 for the corresponding three months in 1975 and 1974 respectively. Mr Harris says in his statement that there is usually a net migration loss in tiie first few months of each March year. During last June the loss was 9989, compared with 4115 in June, 1975. and 4357 in June, 1974. < External migration statistics exclude armed forces movements).

A table accompanying Mr Harris’s statement shows that in the year ended June 30, , 1976. the total inflow of passengers into New Zi_!and was 987,557, compared wi i 990,848 the previous year and 906.910 in 1973-74.

i The outflow was 987,670, [compared with 963,080 in 1974-75 and 878.504 in 197374. Commenting on the net I migration loss of 113, the ■ Leader of the Opposition (Mr ißowling) said: “New Zealland the way you want it is lobviouslv not what the thouI sands of New Zealanders who have recently left the country have found.”

“Thousands of qualified young people left the country in the late 1960 s became of the inept economic management practised by the then Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) the man who is now the Prime Minister.

“The same type of policies have caused the large outflow the country is now experiencing,” Mr Rowling said.

The Opposition leader said that a breakdown of the figures showed that the net loss had been caused by an increase in people leaving the country, rather than by any

| reduction in the intake of I migrants. “Unless the Government is [prepared to reverse its [economic policies, more and 'more people will leave —par- ; ticularly for Australia—and 'New Zealand industry will be starved of the skilled workers it cannot afford to be without,” Mr Rowling said. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said last night that the latest migration statistics showed that the Government’s policies were working.

“This downturn in net migration is welcome, because it takes pressure off the economy.” he said. “Prior to the election, the Labour Government had said that it was impossible to get the level of net migration down to 5000, let alone zero.’’ The decrease would have a considerable effect on the employment situation, housing, and the pressure on other facilities such as hospitals and schools.