Immigration

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 10, 7 October 1936, Page 16

Immigration

Sir; —it would appear that migration on a somewhat large scale is advocated between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Many reasons for resumption have been advanced, and these cover quite a lot of ground, every reason, in fact, except those likely to affect the migrant should he elect to leave England for New Zealand.- Evidently this does not matter, so he does not appear in the picture! I have before me my diary for 1913, iu which I have recorded various costs of goods and services experienced at Home during that year. I quote at random, furnishing 1936 New Zealand prices for the identical goods and services:— England, 1913. New Zealand, 1936. Oranges, 3d. per 3/- per dozen, dozen. Tobacco, 3d. to 6d. 10d. to 1/6 oz. per oz. Beer, per glass. Ter glass, fid. lid-. Whisky, per glass, Per glass, 9d.-l/-. 3d. Bread, loaf, 3Jd. Per loaf, fid. Newspapers, LI. 2d. per copy, per copy. Benzine, lOd. per 2/- per gallon, gallon. Haircut. 3d. 1/6. Shave, 2d. 9d. Shampoo, 3d. 1/6. Gas. 5/- 1600 c. 10/- per 1006. ft. Electric light, Id. sd. per unit, per unit. Rent (6 - room 35/- (wooden brick house), house). 12/6. Visit to doctor, 10/6 io 21/-. 2/6. Ami so one could continue.'

“Without vision the people perish.” This may be quite true, but unless lhe costs of foods and services in this country are substantially reduced, the life savings of migrants, induced by propaganda to leave their all to dwell with us, will also perish—and quickly !

No doubt delegates of the visiting chambers of commerce will, ere they depart. tel! us frankly that the cost of living in New Zealand is far too high, and that, until considerably reduced, it would be most unfair to influence further Englishmen to come to this country. New Zealand leads the world in many directions, including, perha as, the high cost of living.—l am, etc., RUGBEfA. Palmerston North, October 6.