Lessons From the Census

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 8

Lessons From the Census

Sir. —The article in your issue of May !> by “Scrutator” <jn "Our Much-Governed Community'' makes very interesting rending, mid one wonders how long such a farcical system will remain in existence. A study of the census figures as they come forward not only shows the absurditj- of the local government scheme, but shows the districts that arc progressing, also the reason of some towns not making headway, namely, want of population on land adjacent thereto. This applies, in a marked degree, to many of the secondary towns. 'The four centres will always continue to grow. One of the

examples of solid progress is Hastings; this town, in spite of the disastrous earthquake, increased its jxipulatiun from 10,148 in 1.926 to 12,754 this year; 35 years ago the population was 3650. Why this progress? The answer is that the population of Hawke's Bay County (which surrounds Hast ings) has, b.v closer settlement, increased in a like manner; since 1901 the population of this county increased from <1833 to 15,768. Hamilton is another case of progress through settlement of laud adjacent, thereto. Jn .1901. the population of Hamilton was 1253, to-day if. is 16,127. Palmerston North, New Plymouth. Nelson. Timarti and Invercargill can also be classed as towns of progression through closer settlement of adjacent lands, but there aye other towns concerning which a very different tale can be told, some where_ the population has actually decreased. Why? Look at the census returns, and one finds that the population in the . adjacent counties remains the same as it was in 1901, and in some cases less. Being an ardent supporter of more people on the land as a partial cure for unemployment, I am in hopes that the Government, will as soon as ]x>ssible make a move to coinplv with this phase of the Labour I’ai'tj s policy.—l am, etc., J. SIDDHI-LS. Wanganui, May J-I.

(Othr letters on page 13.)