MORE POPULATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 10

MORE POPULATION

IMMIGRATION ASPECT

A discussion on the question of raising the birth-rate in New Zealand followed the Hon. W. E. Barnard's address at the Five Million Club yesterday. It was agreed by all of the 27 delegates that any immigration policy that might be decided on should be such that the interests of the people already in the country should be proserved. Speakers emphasised that the use of immigration to provide a source of cheap labour would be strongly condemned.

The following resolution was adopted:—"That this conference agrees that in order to maintain the present standard of living a larger population is necessary. This can be secured by (a) creating conditions which would encourage a greater natural increase; (b) a'"system of carefully-planned migration which would provide seenritv for the immigrants and their families."

It was decided to set up two research committees. One was instructed to investigate and study the problem of increasing the birth-rate, and the other to inquire into all phases of immigration.

It was decided to send the following cable message to the. Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage:—"This national organisation, representing a rapidly-growing body of public opinion, being seized of the serious implications of the low birth-rate, which, if continuing, must result in a decline in the population and a reduction in its living standard, desires to assure you of its whole-hearted support in your work at the Imperial Conference when dealing with the question of the redistribution of the white peoples of the Empire and New Zealand's contribution thereto."

The following officers were elected: President, the Hon. W. E. Barnard, M.P.; vice-president, Mr. J. A. C. Allum (Auckland); Dominion council, ths Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., and Mr. J. A. C. Allum (Auckland), the Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C. (New Plymouth), Messrs. T. H. McCombs, M.P., and T. A. Mac Gibbon (Christchurch), P.Neilsen, M.P., and M. Silverstone (Dunedin), G. Hultquist, M.P. (Whakatane), G. Mitchell, R. G. Buckleton, A. E. Mander, A. F. Castle, and Mrs. Alan Mulgan (Wellington); interim secretary, Mr. R. S. Odell.