NORTHWARD DRIFT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 9

NORTHWARD DRIFT.

DECREASE IN SOUTH ISLAND

POPULATION

SUGGESTED REMEDY BY MINISTER.

" As a South Islander," the Hon G. W. Russell said yesterday. " I thiuk it is very deplorable that the attractions of the North Island are sufficiently great to cause a marked drift of population northwards during the past five years or so."

Mr Russell is the Minister in charge of the census arrangements, and it was this he was discussing when he made tho remark. He said that, although the exact total figures were not yet available, the Government Statistician was able to forecast a population of 1,094,000, exclusive of soldiers on active servico and of persons not Europeans. The returns from a large number of South Island districts show a shrinkage in the population compared with the position in April, 1911, when the previous census was taken. Mr Russell bolieves that oheap land has been a great incentive to people to go north, and he suggested that a. conference of public men, representing industry, farming and other occupations in the South Island, should be held to consider the position and dovise some means which will help the South Island to retain its population. " When the previous census was taken," he said, "tho South Island, as a result of the drift, lost two constituencies. As things point at tho prosent time, it looks as if thero may be a similar movo after tho final returns are available. Ave may lose two more members in the House of Representatives'. While' ono cannot refrain from congratulating tho Nofth' Island on its prosperity, it is ridiculous to suppose that the South Island now has all the population it is capable of carrying. In the Nelson district, for instance, there are splendid mineral resources, which could absorb a largo population. In Canterbury, Otago and Southland there is still room for a large increase if tho economic conditions are placed in a position in which they will stand against the undoubted allurements of cheap land in the north. If the public men of the South Island were given an opportunity to consider the problem, fchey might discover a solution."