MIGRANTS FOR N.Z.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1937, Page 6

MIGRANTS FOR N.Z.

SUPPORT IN AUCKLAND [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February 18. The Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, this morning, carried a motion that in the opinion of the Council, the time is opportune for the Government to reconsider the question of immigration, and recommending the Government to institute an urgent inquiry into the matter. Proposing the motion, Mr. F. N. Ambler said he felt the Government, should be informed that responsible sections of the community favoured immigration. With the approach of better times, it was necessary to face the fact that New Zealand’s population was too small. England had 2,000,000 unemployed, many of whom would make desirable citizens. It would not be too much to expect England to pay some of the cost of settling some of these people in the sparsely populated areas of the Doipinion. Population was the first line of defence for New Zealand, and also protection against slumps. The fear that immigration would cause greater unemployment was a fallacy, provided immigration was carried out »on planned lines. Mr. J. A. C. Allum advocated a well-organised land setlement scheme. From his knowledge, it would be impossible to get farm workers in future, unless they were also land holders. He suggested that orphanages should not be established in England but in the Dominions, 'where the orphans could be trained to take their places in the younger community, where they would have a better chance in life.