IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 101, 22 January 1908, Page 8

IN OTHER CENTRES.

(nr TELEGRArII—SrECIAI, COUUESrONDIi.NTS.)

■ ——*• I ■ AUCKLAND. January 21. Scarcity of Labour. 1 llcviowjug the question of the scarcity of labour in.tho Dominion, and the Hon'. J. A. Millar's references to tlio problem, tlio "Herald", editorially remarks':■'.' The truth is that the great distance -wliicli Separates, New Zealand and the .Mother '.Couiitry, and'consequently tho high rates charged for tho pas-' sage, must'always oppose a serious obstacle to tlie'would-be emigrant-, who is :tlnis led to seek _ nearer, fields which '-can . be, reached both quicker and cheaper; It seems unlikely, therefore, that we shall; ever' get any large addition of population by relying solely on proscnt methods. The alternative schemo' is to adopt a prudent immigration policy. The great need of. New Zealand is population. Its industries are . being .hampered.' by tho scarcity of '.labour, and its lands arc lying idle for-want of settlors. All told, we are only a people of less than, a million,: and there is ample room in ' the Dominion for thirty millions. No one desires to see wholesale and indiscriminate immigration. That might easily : become a serious, evil; but a policy that v would''censure a steady and tinuous supply of . the most desirable classes could' not fail to'-prove of'- immense advantage to tho whole of'the, country." Creator Auckland. , . 'l'ho • question; .of a Greater .Auckland cropped up at' a meeting-'of' tho Remuera lload Hoard :last- night, when great indigna- - t-ion .was shown' by. a member (Mr.; Bond) because' Mr. .Midgley. Taylor, ; tho English engineer, had-ventured .'to advocate amalgamation of local bodies 'ill connection. with 'his drainage scheme. Ho remarked : " I think' Mr. Taylor, instead of, talking about-the number of Road Boards around: Auckland; should iiavo kept his mouth closed on .the matter. We quite-understand the: Auckland drainage scheme, and; if- ho. had kept to drainage instead of talking about' local bodies it "would have lieen fetter. Wo did riot- pay 'li'iin to come,out here to-back.lip tho Mayor of Auckland's scheme. We quite agree tha.t -.there should bo a Drainage Board; but we' are quite competent to manage our' owii affairs.", . 1 . . :