IMMIGRATION POLICY

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 23 March 1939, Page 4

IMMIGRATION POLICY

SUPPORT ACCORDED By Country Chambers of Commerce (Full support for a progressive immigration policy was accorded by the South Auckland Country Chambers of Commerce at a meeting held at Tauranga. Various suggestions were received from member chambers, and Mr, A. S Newland, of Tauranga, also gave a short address on the subject. Mr. Newland stated he had interested himself in the matter for some time. He felt it was pointless to discuss the principle, which was already approved. Regarding practical proposals, he believed there should be a definite principle of selection. The first big migration movement of which he was aware, was in the days of Lot and Abraham. After a conference Lot was permitted to take hi 3 herds with him, which contrasted with Hitler’s methods of handling the Jews, who were prevented from talcing their possessions. New Zealand had two definite problems in the matter, the first being opposite to that which confronted Lot and Abraham. The latter lacked pastures for their herds, while New Zealand had the pastures and needed more settlers to develop them. Thus they could not vuite blame envious neighbours looking at our possessions; New Zealanders had to defend the country with more man-power. In the past there had not been sufficient planning ahead. People were brought strange country and left to battle alone. Instead, the position should be planned ahead, so that people could be absorbed into the nation at the earliest, possible moment. The speaker next paid a tribute to the early pioneers who had laid the foundations; now it was up to all to put a sound structure on those foum? dations. British people should be preferred, then Scandinavians and Danes, who had already proved theihselves. Any alien element should be guarded against. If New Zealand was worth living in it was worth fighting for, and every emigrant should be capable of defending the country for. if there was .sufficient man-power for defence, it would kill any idea of aggression in the minds of leaders of other countries. Man-power for Defence The proportion of women to men in New Zealand to-day was 972 to every 1000, and this even balance should be maintained. Men from . suitable trade groups should be selected, who would be given A. free--passage in return. for limited military, service, Four months was considered to be sufficient to train a soldier during the war and emigrants should be expected to put the first four months in in camp. Good wages woulfl be paid, but from these would be deducted the cost of their passage. Thus they would have got a soldier and his passage money back. Women could be brought in undejb similar conditions for nursing service. , Great Britain could not be expected to part with the cream of her population in the opinion of many, but a. farmer placed his best and most, virile . stock on the best pastures. Another objection was that immigration affected unemployment, but in his opinion that was incidental, as the broader issues of adequate development and defence of the Dominion were paramount. Points for the Government The advantages were New Zealand would get adequate population of the right type, at reasonable cost, which would result in greater development of the Dominion. Discussion on Mr. Newland’s address resulted in the following points being approved for submission to the Government: — Preference to British subjects, followed by Northern European peoples. That secondary industries be encouraged in New Zealand, keeping in , mind the adequate protection of j primary industries. I That young people of approved physical standard he encouraged, with a preference for skilled workers. • J That there be a means test for older people, with encouragement for people with capital. That immigration be coupled with a progressive land policy. It was decided to post summaries of Mr. Newland’s address to ail affiliated chambers for consideration.