URBAN DRIFT PROBLEM

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1946, Page 8

URBAN DRIFT PROBLEM

. LARGELY DISCOUNTED BY COMMITTEE DESCRIBED AS “BOGY" (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 20, The problem of “urban drift” is characterised as a bogy by the Population Committee which says that there is a good deal of loose thinking on this subject. The evi- . deuce showed that the numbers, of people engaged directly in agriculture have increased at a rate only slightly less than/the rate of increase of the total occupied population. The important factor is not the number of people engaged in agriculture, but the actual production of the land, says the Committee. In a historical review it shows how labour efficiency has tended to increase and farm techniques to improve. The mechanisation of agriculture, particularly the dairy industry, has resulted in large numbers of people, previously working in rural areas, now being engaged in urban areas in the servicing of agriculture. Statistics are also misleading, according to the Committee. Areas with under 1000 population are classified as rural areas, but as soop as their population increases beyond that figure they are called urban. Morrinsville was classified as urban in 1921, with 687 people, but by 1926 it had grown to 1536 and was entitled to be called urban. The environs of Christchurch are an example of urban areas spreading to take in districts previously classified as rural. Worldwide Phenomenon The phenomenon of urban drift is worldwide, says the Committee and rather than being a sign of decay of agriculture is frequently a sign of its technicological progress. The Committee finds that there has not been a decrease in the agricultural population over the Dominion as a whole, but de-population has be(gun in certain areas to a disturbing extent. The decline in Otago particularly, and in Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Taranaki to a lesser degree is a cause for seri- | ous alarm. The Committee adds that New Zealand has not devoted much attention to the problem of rural sociology. The most important factors in the drift from rural areas in these places are probably the attractiveness of urban life and the better conditions in many secondary industries. The Committee recommends that the Government, at an early date, should undertake a comprehensive and continuous survey of the problem of giving the rural community equal consideration with the urban section in the matter of social amenities. Further, urgent steps should be taken in providing adequate housing for married couples. The popular impression that there are large tracts of land available in New Zealand for soldiers and other settlers was largely negative by the evidence tendered to the Committee. Explaining why it discourages the immigration of agricultural workers, the Committee says that, apart from an estimated 8,000 ex-servicemen to be settled on the land, there is no great scope for further agricultural population. it emphasises at the same time that the general problem of the future of agriculture should receive the urgent attention of the Government. Land For Servicemen The Committee found that there are only 244,000 acres still undeveloped which are capable of development. But returned men who want to take up farming will require 1,200,000 acres. A very large amount of the land already being farmed must, therefore, be bought. On the other hand, there is some scope for the smaller type of truck farm, producing small fruits, vegetables and similar commodities. “The fact that for a very large proportion of returned servicemen who propose to settle on the land, existing farms will have to be bought does not mean any real increase in settlement but rather the displacement of people already on the land. Some witnesses suggested that some secondclass land could be made available for closer settlement, given proper cultivation and adequate scientific management. We are unable to comment'satisfactorily on this propositon but we think it is a matter which should give the Government very serious concern. From every point' of view, a virile agricultural population is vitally necessary.” The Committee recalled that one witness suggested there would be scope in New Zealand for European agriculturists used to working small holdings. It says, however, that this may be a very dangerous procedure as it may lead to the development of peasant holdings, on the European model with all the undesirable features such a development may cause. The general problem of the future of agriculture should be urgently studied, however, not merely from the viewpoint of techniques and marketing, but also from that of the sociological questions of rural life.

DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATION URGED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. The Population Committee expresses the view that a study of its report will show that there is a vital need for a reliable and continuous overall study of population policies in future. It urges that the Government should be in a position to inform all departments as to what that policy is, particularly in regard to the development of the Dominion’s economic and social life, which natu- . rally involved some definite views as to immigration. . The committee recommends the setting up at an early date of a small secretariat attached directly to the Cabinet and charged with the continuous study of the population problem with a view to devising a longterm overall policy for the guidance of departments. The committee expresses the opinion that there is evident a lack of co-ordination on many of these policies. Departments should not be placed in the position, the committee contends, of having to make guesses as to general trends.