MORE PEOPLE WANTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18532, 17 October 1923, Page 10

MORE PEOPLE WANTED.

MOVEMENT in WELLINGTON.

AIDS TO IMMIGRANTS.

COMMISSION" SUGGESTED.

[NX TELEon.vrir.~ ' coimEsroxDEXT.]

WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

The committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce submitted a report today on. the question of overseas settlement. ! ;

The •chairman, Mr. Leigh Hunt, j«marked that it was greatly regrettable that the Imperial delegation left tho Dominion under the impression that New Zealand did not want immigration. The report stated that, while other Dominions had acted in a far-seeing, progressive spirit, resulting in a comprehensive scheme to absorb Groat Britain's surplus, the people ;of New Zealand had hardly been sufficiently interested to raise a listening ear. J For the first half of 1913 British migration to New Zealand actually decreased by 3380.

The committee recommended that on efficient organisation throughout tho Dominion is imperative, and summarised the necessary steps as follows —Our own people should bo shown the country's capacity to profitably absorb an increased population, thus building up the solid public opinion necessary for the movement's success. Toward this end a commission should be appointed to take evidence from all classes. The housing question should be fully considered, and a programme formed, while the land laws should be overhauled, especially in regard to the taxation on large blocks of second-class land that may be taken up by companies or societies. Citizens' committees should be formed to arrange for the efficient absorption of immigrants. It was further stated that British -capital would be needed, and should be introduced as investments rather than as State loans, thus further increasing our indebtedness. .

Tho chamber adopted tho report, and it was resolved to endeavour to enlist the active co-operation of other chambers.