GREATER EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 128, 26 November 1938, Page 14

GREATER EMPIRE

NEED OF N.Z.

MORE POPULATION

The need for Empire development by the peopling of the Dominions and colonies with British stock was a subject touched on by Mr. David Hogg in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the United Kingdom Manufacturers' and New Zealand Representatives' Association yesterday afternoon. He pointed out that the benefits to this country of, increased population of our own stock would be stronger defence, reduced taxation per capita, increased internal and external trade, and balanced economy by increased internal consumption, The very important and urgent matter of Empire development by the peopling of the Dominions and colonies with British stock, said Mr. Hogg, was engaging the attention of a strong body of men in the United Kingdom —men of vision and men moved to action by patriotic ideals. It must be clear to all that such procedure would make for strengthening the Empire as a whole, promote trade, and, last, but not least, give to the more scattered units of the Empire a stronger defence (brought about by increased manpower. How did this affect New Zealand? At present New Zealand's population was , stagnant, and if existing conditions continued it was estimated that in ten years' time the deaths would exseed the births. Other parts of the Empire were taking active steps to secure migrants. If New Zealand did not move at once the time might quickly arrive' when peoples of our own stock would not be available. There seemed good evidence, too, that migrants could be secured at very small cost to the Dominion. This country had spent great sums to provide social services, such as railways, roadways, electric power, schools, etc. The burden of interest on such capital outlay fell on but few shoulders, whereas with increased population this taxation would be spread. It was estimated that existing facilities were sufficient to carry much more population than they were doing.

At' the present moment the subject of defence was occupying the attention of many thoughtful people, but in reality the question of increased population was of even more moment than defence, because without increased man-power, we were unable adequately defend ourselves.