THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 6, 1946. POPULATION INQUIRY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32709, 6 May 1946, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 6, 1946. POPULATION INQUIRY

Although the Government did not see its way to grant a Royal Commission to inquire into the population needs of New Zealand, it did appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee which has begun hearing evidence in Wellington. Unfortunately the reports of select committees have a habit of finding their way into official pig-eon-holes. A report by a Royal Commission could scarcely be ignored and would at least have awakened New Zealand to- the reality of its greatest single problem. It is hoped that Parliament will see to it that the committee’s report receives adequate attention. As a matter of Government policy immigration from abroad seems unlikely to be resumed for a long time. But even the Government is not infallible and public opinion can condition official policy if it is expressed with sufficient vigour. There is need for haste if New Zealand and the other Dominions are to hold their place in a changing world and against the millions teeming the countries of Europe and Asia. A declining or a stationary population is not enough. Surely New Zealand with .all its natural advantages has not lost the art of colonising on an increasing scale or the ability to reproduce in adequate numbers. The Select Committee is not concerned with immigration alone. Its duty is to discover also how the natural increase in population can be encouraged. The evid'ence taken in the first day or two of the inquiry has drawn attention to practices which cause serious anxiety for the future of the race. Much more has yet to be heard. There is no doubt that the committee will be presented with a case that will call for action, but it is another matter whether appropriate action will be taken. Immigration has for years been frowned upon officially. Attempts have been made from the economic point of view to encourage the birthrate, with onlyindifferent success. The public is not awake to the need and the danger, and it is regrettable that a Royal Commission was not granted to administer the necessary warning.