COME OVER HERE!

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2775, 17 October 1923, Page 5

COME OVER HERE!

ENCOURAGING NEWCOMERS.

REGRETTABLE IMPRESSION OP DELEGATION.

CONCRETE PROPOSALS

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

A'special committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce reported to-day on oversea settlement, Mr. Leigh Hunt, chairman, remarking it was greatly regrettable that the Imperial delegation had left the Dominion under the impression that New Zealand did not want immigration. The report, after- reviewing the events of the last year, stated that, while other Dominions had acted in a farseeing and progressive spirit, resulting in comprehensive schemes to absorb Britain's surplus people, New Zealand had hardly been sufficiently interested to raise a listening ear.

For the first half of 1923, British migration to New Zealand had actually decreased by 3380. The committee therefore recommended that efficient organisation throughout the Dominion was imperative and that the necessary people should be shown the country's capacity profitably to absorb increased population; thus building up a solid public opinion necessary for the movement's success. Toward this end,, a commission should be appointed to take evidence from all classes; secondly, the housing question should be fully considered and a programme formed; thirdly, the land laws should be overhauled, especially the tax on large blocks of second-class land that may be taken up by companies or societies; fourthly, citizens' committees, should be formed to arrange for the efficient absorption of immigrants; and, sixthly, it was considered British capital would be needed' and should be introduced as investments, rather than State loans, which further increased the country's indebtedness.

The Chamber adopted the report and resolved to enlist the active cooperation of othor Chambers.