NEED OF POPULATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21582, 8 December 1944, Page 6

NEED OF POPULATION

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER OUTLINE OF POLICY (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 7. A statement of the Government's policy on immigration and other measures designed to increase New: Zealand’s population was sought by. a ! deputation from the Dominion Settle-, merit and Population Association' which waited on the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, yesterday.. Delegates attendecCfrom many parts; of New Zealand, including Auckland and Dunedin. The spokesmen were the president ; of Hie association, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt and Lieut.-Colonel Sir Clutha Mackeurdo on furlough from India. •‘We are convinced that New Zen-: land is in imminent danger,” said Mr.; Hunt. The ageing of the population 1 .-'lid the trend toward a decline muss lead to depression, unemployment and a fall in living standards. Without a large increase in population there 1 would be no future for youth and no! hone of successful rehabilitation of j returning servicemen. Whatever increase in the birth-rate was achieved 1 it would not be sufficient to save Now Zealand. It seemed, therefore, that immigration was imperative. Orphan Immigrants • Mr; Fraser said that, immigration of orphans from Britain and various other countries would be looked on most sympathetically. It would not involve the difficulties of housing and employment. Every possibility in that direction would be exnlored, with preference, of course, for British orphans. If the Polish people decided that they would like the children; already in New Zealand to remain, they would very welcome. They were fine children and would grow into fine New Zealanders. The Government would be very pleased to have information about the scheme for the adoption of war orphans. "Wc are so impressed with the urgency of the problem that we urge: that the Government should send a mission abroad with wide powers to secure as many orphans as it can.” said Mr. Hunt. So far as adult immigrants. were concerned, people overseas were planning now what tbev would do when peace came, and if New Zealand was not ready to receive them it would miss its opportunity. What was wanted was a clear declaration that they would be welcome. In reply to advocacy of a universal family allowance, Mr. Fraser said that there were many other things involved in the suggestion. Legislation to be introduced next year to provide fer a national minimum family income would go a long way to meet the position. Mr. Hunt suggested that a conference of all women’s organisations should be called to discuss natural increase, including the stamping out of abortion and the provision of hob) for unmarried mothers, domestic help for mothers and nursery schools. Mr. Fraser referred to the propos'd for the abolition of the jury system in the trial of abortion cases, which ho described as a very serious step, and - to the debate in the House on the ouestion of compulsory notification by doctors and hospitals of criminal abortion cases. He stated also that the Minister of Health had plans for sub- ’ sidising approved organisations for the provision of domestic help in both town and country. Sir Clutha Mackenzie discussed possibilities' of securing British immi ■ grants from India. They were a magnificent type, he said, i Prime Minister’s Reply | “I don’t think anyone will question 1 that our first responsibility is to carry i out rehabilitation to the limit of . our i resources/’,, said the Prime Minister | in his reply' ! There were 7000 prisoners of war, and he had not the slightest idea how soon after they were liberated shipping would be available to bring them back to New Zealand. “We have men now as near as Australia who have been away five years, and we will be ! lucky if we get transport for them," j said Mr. Fraser. There were also hundreds of New Zealand civilians in Britain and the United States waitin ; for transport. 110 agreed that New Zealand should do whatever it could for war orphans. There was no difference of opinion about the desirability of a much greater population in New Zealand: it was in the question of how to work to that end that there was room Ibr difference of opinion. Proposals which had been made for helping mothers and increasing the size of families would receive carol id i consideration and the support of the Government where they were eoni sidered practical and beneficial.