IMMIGRATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 13

IMMIGRATION

Sir,— May I make a suggestion to cure unemployment? We have in this country large areas of unoccupied land capable of economic development, providing sufficient capital, plus efficient management, is available. We have 60,000 unemployed, not in the main primary producers, but tradesmen, artisans, etc. —a surplus that industry is incapable of absorbing until the value of our exports materially increases. We have a million and a-half inhabitants in ia country larger than England and Scotland. Such a small population is obviously _ incapable of supporting very much in the way of secondary industries. These three factors give us the clue. We must increase the value of our exports—create an internal market and increase our population to a stage where it can carry secondary industries. This can only be brought "about rapidly by immigration and immigration from the Mother Country, and only of those prepared to go on the land under a definite scheme. A company with a capital of one or two millions could undertake the development, housing, stocking and settlement of large areas of our unoccupied land and could do it 50 per cent cheaper than it could be done individually. There is no question that it would pay both settler and investor, and I am convinced that if a sound scheme was put up finance in plenty would be found in England. It would be the dawn of a new era for this country. Quotas and restrictions would be unnecessary and forgotten and both countries wouid benefit. What a chance for a man with courage! A Farm Kit.