The Times FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1941. National Suicide

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 115, 16 May 1941, Page 6

The Times FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1941. National Suicide

A most grave position is foretold as a result of an investigation into the available supply of juvenile labour and its likely effect on the expansion of industry. A very valuable investigation was canned out by the New Zealand Vocational Guidance Association and a study of the report prompts the conclusion that as the price of selfishness the people of this Dominion are committing national suicide. Whilst there were 187,500 youths and girls aged 13 to 18 years here in 1940, there will be only 175,800 of the same age in 1945. This is a shrinkage of 11,700 of our best young people, a decline of 6 per cent, in just five years. What will be the position in, say, 25 years?

From 1914 to 1939 New Zealand’s population increased by 50 per cent., quite speedily over the first two-thirds of the period and then at a gradually diminishing rate. Our numbers were increased from 1,100,000 to almost 1,650,000 citizens of all ages. IVill the next 25 years see our numbers return to the million mark? Unless there be a really great reversal of the present trend that is our national destiny. It is inevitable unless either the birth-rate be pronouncedly increased or large-scale emigration brought about. Both are dependent upon the abandonment of current national selfishness. With a shrinking population the people of this country will have neither the moral right nor the physical power to hold “God’s Own Country.”

Apart altogether from such a long-term viewpoint, New Zealand will early face problems consequent upon its declining birth-rate. Investigation of these was the actual purpose of the Vocational Guidance Association’s study. This reports very fully upon the youth labour situation and advises that last October there were estimated vacancies unfilled for 3700 youths and girls in the four main cities alone. Recent enquiries indicate that the position has steadily worsened. Additional thereto Were unfilled vacancies throughout the provinces in town and country.

From this study came the conclusion that the shortage of youth labour must seriously and adversely influence our national policy for the development of industry, it is declared that “the true position concerning our population and the available supply of labour has not been known to these employers.” The reference is to those investing their capital in industry. And it is added that banks and chambers of commerce have been just as ignorant of the situation. The association then urges that the fullest publicity be given to the facts so that the Government and employing bodies may be acquainted with what lies ahead. Also advocated is that the issue of licenses for new industries should be granted with greater caution and with due appreciation of the falling supply of juvenile labour. What a very unhappy condition this presupposes for what we are accustomed to consider “a young and vigorous land” ! What a blow to national pride that we are in effect an old and shrinking people, unfit, lacking in vigour even to maintain our numbers, let alone expand our population! We who dwell in a land largely of empty spaces, a country that would be the better for a population threefold that which it now bears. Had we five million people New Zealand would be physically safer, more prosperous and able to maintain higher cultural standards—an altogether better land in in every way.

Maybe it is our destiny to shrink and die. Perhaps “it is the will of Allah”! But surely that is not the way of a British race. Surely we can do something to oppose even the very fates! There are two things that we should endeavour to do, and the foremost is to undertake a national campaign, if need be, quite drastic in its policy, whereby encouragement shall be given to an expansion of the birth-rate. Secondly, and complimentary to a solution of our problem, is the need for large-scale emigration, and here from misfortune may fortune spring. For without doubt the aftermath will be a continental-wide desire throughout Europe to escape from that war-torn continent. Therein lies a wonderful opportunity for New Zealand if we possess the courage, longheadedness and enterprise to grasp' the opportunity.