ALTRUISM AND SELFINTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 62, 15 March 1927, Page 8

ALTRUISM AND SELFINTEREST

It does seem strange that the political party in New Zealand which makes the greatest profession of altruism should be most strongly opposed to a movement for redistributing Empire population. In Great Britain there are too many people, and the lot of some is consequently most distressing. Conditions here are certainly better, yet Labour refuses to welcome newcomers for fear their arrival should lower the standard of living.' The Bishop of London can be under no suspicion of being a party to a capitalistic plot to flood the Dominion labour market. His life-record of work in overcrowded

quarters alone attests his sincerity when he states he has seen too much of the poverty and overcrowding in the East of London to wish to see the same conditions anywhere else. Yet Labour, though sympathetic with the individual, opposes the schemes which are designed to aid the mass. In theory the party does not oppose immigration, but it qualifies its "approval with conditions which really make it clear that Empire settlement cannot be carried on with Labour's consent. Labour says, in effect: "We know conditions in England are bad, but we have not got everything we want here. Your coming'might prevei ■ from improving lot, so you had better stay away." From a party which professes such concern for the downtrodden one might expect something more.

If Labour's altruism, however, does not carry it so far as practical measures of help, it may be persuaded by motives of self-interest. The Bishop of London said in Christchurch; "The only guarantee of prosperity was the silent power of Great Britain behind the country." We have proof in the present day of this truth. The burden of unemployment affects the prosperity of Great Britain, and a less prosperous Britain can pay less for our produce. It is vital to us that we should consider the welfare of our chief customer. If we do not our business will be reduced. Labour may make a political point by claiming that' New Zealand's present trouble is due to excessive immigration, but that contention will not bear examination. If our trade balance were on the right side unemployment here would vanish, and the main factor in restoring the trade balance must be the improvement of English economic conditions. A far-sighted policy, even based upon selfish motives, would be to make the utmost provision for relieving Britain of surplus population.