ONLY ON FRINGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 13

ONLY ON FRINGE

DEVELOPING DOMINION

NEED FOR POPULATION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. "There are people who think that we have reached the limit of development" of our resources in New Zealand that we should now accept a stalernjate and 'stay put.' It gives me cold snivers to. think of this insane, defeatist attitude," declared the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in an interview. ' "We have a huge country here, practically empty, and if we are not willing to develop it, someone else will. We must have more production and more population. The two must go hand in hand. I know every inch of this country and I know its real value from the point of view of production. I sometimes feel dismayed when I hear people talk about ceasing our activities in construction and production. This country is only now reaching the fringe of its possible development." •Mr. Semple was speaking with special reference to land drainage schemes at Ashburton and in the Lake Ellesmere district, both of which, he hopes, will greatly increase the productivity of the province. "This is the kind of work that must be undertaken in the future. It will double the food production of our land and increase the population," he said. The completion of the Rangitata irrigation scheme could synchronise with such land improvement schemes as that proposed at Ashburton, and together they would prove a wonderful boon to the Dominion, Mr. Semple said. Scientific records showed how irrigation had worked wonders in other countries, increasing the productivity of the land five or even eight times. Large .-areas of Canterbury, Central Otago, and Marlborough could share in those same benefits. "Only an increased population will enable us to develop our resources to the maximum. We have a priceless heritage here, and it is our duty to develop it. Population is the surest defence for our country. Another million and a quarter . people and we would be able to defend it against any attacker. But we are living in a fool's paradise if we think we can defend it with a mere handful of people."