LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 74, 25 September 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

AGEING POPULATION

Sir, —The statement in the House by the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) that attention will have to be given, to the problem created by the increase in the higher age groups in New Zealand's population, once more throws into sharp focus our need for a progressive immigration policy. Mr. Nordmeyer said that "an amazing number of old people were to be found in hospitals today." That is an inevitable result of our present population trend. If it is uncorrected, the situation must grow steadily worse, till, as Dr. Summerskill recently pointed out, an intolerable taxation burden falls on the comparatively few remaining young workers for the maintenance of the many aged and infirm. As Dr. Belshaw said- in a recent article, "A smaller proportion of effort will need to be devoted to making prams and babies' bottles, but a,larger proportion will be needed for hot water bottles, spectacles, bed socks, and dentures." It is futile to rely only on natural inj crease of our sparse population to restore population balance. Expert calculations, based on statistical evidence, show that at best native births will not be sufficient to prevent a population decline. Immigration is the only hope of avoiding economic disintegration and the ultimate collapse of our social security scheme. It has been announced that orphans who have lost both parents as a result of the war must remain in Britain till they are of an age to make a choice for themselves. The closing of this possible source of immigrants only serves to emphasise the need for urgent action if we are to be able to take advantage of any other available sources. The call is for prompt measures if it is not to be another case of "too little and too late."—l am, etc., D.C.