GOOD SETTLERS LEAVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15069, 12 August 1912, Page 5

GOOD SETTLERS LEAVING.

PREFER AUSTRALIA. A RESOLUTE POLICY NEEDED. 'I'm; fact that largo numbers of people arc leaving New Zealand and settling in Australia was referred to by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. 0. J. Parr) in the course ' of an interview yesterday with a Herald representative. " There is one feature in Australia's de- ; velopment which I do not quite like," remarked Mr. Parr, because it is at the expense of New Zealand. Politicians may say what they like, but there is clear evidence that there has been, and still continues to be, a, drift of population from New Zealand-to Sydney and other parts of Australia." "I am satisfied," he continued, "that hundreds of promising young men. born and educated in this country, have in past years left our shores because they felt that there was nothing in New Zealand for them to stay for. 11l Queensland there are scores of New Zealand farmers. In Sydney to-day you will scarcely go upon a. single building job without finding a New Zenlander or two among the different tradesmen, including carpenters, plasterers, and plumbers. I, myself, during my recent, visit to Sydney, met several who recently left these shores. As a, result of the Waihi strike scores of labourers have gone to Australia. What advantage," he asked. "is there in assisting immigrants to come in. by one door if our own people leave by another? "I met two young engineers, both New Zealanders. who had been trained in our schools and university, and who had come to Australia to look for work. They told mo there was nothing suitable offering in New Zealand. Their attitude of mind was typical of many others who had left the Dominion. They claimed that- there was moro scope in a town like Sydney, with its population of nearly one million people. There were bigger businesses and bigger chances. In nearly every large shop in; Sydney you will find New ZeaJanders employed. Our people seem to be sought for, and they find no difficulty in getting work, and no doubt they find greater opportunities for capacity, mechanical genius, and business ability. "The present Government," continued Mr. Parr, "is not responsible for thus state of things. Nevertheless, it will be Mr. Masscy's duty to face the position and try and effect a cessation of this population drift. Wo want all our young people. What earthly nse is it to give our lads the best of education and training if it is merely to fit them for service in other lands'? " There, are one or two remedies, I think, for the mischief," said Mr. Parr. "In the first place, we should settle every aero of land which it is possible to cultivate. No roan should have to leave New Zealand because he could - not get land. Secondly, if we are to employ our mechanical and business people to advantage we must encourage big industries in our midst. Some peoplo sneer at the idea of capital leaving the country. To my mind it is a sad fact. What is worse still is that capital is being locked up. The man with money will nob go into any big business employing a great deal of labour. What man, with £30,000 capital say, would caro to put it into a new industry in Auckland to-day, when he can easily get six per cent, for his money at good mortgage? "Labour," he proceeded, "is only cutting its own throat when it checks useful and remunerative industries. Our labour friends ought to see that nothing will be better for them than the expanding of local industries so that thousands of workers can bo employed at good wages. "In my opinion," concluded Mr. Parr, " the time has arrived when a strong, resolute policy should be adopted to encourage settlement, capital, and industry. Populate our rural districts with prosperous fanners and raise up .industries in our cities, and I think by these means, and these means alone, will the tide of population be turned once again to New Zealand's shores."