MIGRATION POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 8

MIGRATION POLICY.

The Government announces another year of the policy of restricting assisted immigration. In the circumstances this will cause no surprise, nor does it call for condemnation as an isolated act. With the problem of seasonal unemployment in its present condition, no Government could be imagined removing those restrictions and reverting to the former policy of assistance up to a given quota. There is, however, a wider basis on which the question can be considered. Is another year to be followed by still another, and if so, can anybody foresee the time when the ban will be lifted 1 ? Is New Zealand's population to expand only by the rate of natural increase? Tljat rate is a high one, despite (lie low birth-rate, but is the increase of population thereby sufficient for a country like New Zealand, with so generous a natural endowment, with such possibilities of supporting, in prosperity and contentment, a far greater population than it carries now, or is likely to carry for many years to come, unless it is recruited from abroad? It may be argued that the people now resident in the Dominion do very well, and that there is no need to be concerned about an increase in their numbers. That is a policy of pure selfishness, and, apart from its unethical character, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain against world opinion. Murmurings have already been heard from countries where the outward pressure is heavy about the policy of exclusivencss which is becoming more prevalent in lands toward which desirous eyes are cast. The conclusion pointed by these considerations is not that New Zealand should fling wide her gates now, and welcome all comers, giving active encouragement to those of the type most desired. The immediate need is to bend the national energies to the preliminary problem of setting in motion again the processes of development which will make the country a land of opportunity not only for the native-born, but for others. Room could be found for many if this were done. If old openings have closed and old methods outworn their usefulness, new ones must be found. The Prime Minister promises a forward move this year. It is badly needed. For a country so young in development as New Zealand, and so rich in potential resources, to be rationing the increase of population is worse than absurd, it is evidence of failure, failure which should not be tolerated after the rich success which followed the earlier years of development.