Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1934 THE DOMINION’S POPULATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 August 1934, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1934 THE DOMINION’S POPULATION

SPEAKING at Christchurch, Lord Bledisloe has again voiced opinions which are deserving of the closest consideration of the Government 'and Parliament, whose primary duty is the promotion of the country’s welfare. As reported in our columns yesterday, His Excellency drew attention to:

A much-needed increase in the population of the Dominion if the public services were not to prove too'onerous a burden for its inhabitants. He added that any such augmentation of the population should include potential employers as well as employees,, who would help with capital, skill, and experience in developing the still largely undeveloped resources of such richly endowed territory. He had in mind that the mineral resources of the South Island alone were considerable, and were destined to produce increasing and, he believed, remunerative occupation for a largely .increased population and good citizens in the days that lay ahead.

Tile Governor-General has often spoken encouragingly and helpfully of the agricultural and pastoral industries of the Dominion, hut here ho is found attracting attention to that much-neglected portion of tlio nation’s estate which consists of the undeveloped and to some extent unexplored areas of the South Island which are potentially mineral-bearing. However, it is not intended to enlarge on that important subject on this occasion, but to draw attention more particularly to what Lord Bledisloe had to say in reference to the “much needed increase in the population of the Dominion,” which, from whatever point of view it be regarded, requires more people. In tho first place, the undeveloped regions of the South Island, which contain vast quantities of valuable timber, cannot be profitably used unless there are people ready to occupy and cultivate them, after their timber has been felled and 'ended. There must be no wholesale and unprofitable destruction of that timber which, in many of the areas unaer consideration, is the only useful crop which they will ever grow. The first requirement), therefore, is more people, if tho country is to advance beyond the present stage of its development with that celerity which is in the best interests of those who were born and bred hero. Moreover, one of the factors which are essential to the safety of the country against invasion is a materially increased population. But Lord Bledisloe was clear in his statement that if the required increase came from the Old Country, it “must consist of assets and not liabilities.” That is undoubtedly correct and, so far as is possible, is provided for by our immigration laws. But at such a time as this, when the prevailing ecenomic depression is retarding the country’s industrial development, there cannot be much encouragement for employees to come here of their own initiative, 0)' for employers to encourage them to come. With the owner of pecuniary means, insufficient for his comfortable maintenance in England, the position might be. quite different, because be might find that an income which is insufficient for him in England is all that is necessary for his happiness here. The attraction of such small capitalists or annuitants to this country seems to bo

possible, and greatly to their benefit, and that of the land which they may select as their new home. It is known that many country-folk in England, belonging to the class of people who ride to hounds, love outdoor sports, the open air, and tile country life generally, are finding f iat the heavy taxation and the low rates of interest paid on their modest investments are making it difficult for them to maintain themselves as they have been accustomed to do. It is suggested that such folk might find themselves happier in New Zealand, especially if they were to migrate in company, and form in this country coteries, adjacent and closely associated, so that they could reproduce in their new surroundings many of the conditions of life which they had enjoyed in England. New Zealand would be much benefited by the settlement here of people of the class referred to. They belong to the class of people which has furnished such excellent recruits for the army, the navy, the church, and parliament, and no doubt, if transplanted to this country, they would perform excellent service. They are the peculiar product of England, educated at her great schools and universities, andt a valuable adjunct, whatever the community or country in which they live. There is not much doubt that it was to this class of people that Lord Bledisloe referred when he advocated the augmentation of our population in New Zealand by recruiting it with “potential employers . . . who would help witli capital, skill, and experience in developing the still largely undeveloped resources of such richly endowed territory.” For such newcomers would be able to attract to this country large quantities of capital required for the purposes referred to.