MIGRATION NEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22657, 19 February 1937, Page 14

MIGRATION NEEDS

SMALL POPULATION EXPANSION NECESSARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW INVESTIGATION URGED Wholehearted approval of a recommendation that the Government should institute an urgent inquiry into the question of immigration was given by members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at the council meeting yesterday. Moving that the resolution should be adopted, Mr. F. N. Ambler said that the question of immigration had received very little attention in New Zealand during recent years. "We have been absorbed by the fact that with 50,000 unemployed it seemed useless to advocate bringing more people into the country, so aggravating the unemployment position," Mr. Ambler continued. "But now, with the approach of better times, people are beginning to realise that the Dominion must progress and expand." The fact that the birth-rate had been falling steadily for many years, and was now only one-half of what it was in the 'nineties, would have to be faced. Question at Imperial Conference One of the questions which would be discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference in England was that of immigration, said Mr. Ambler, and before the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, left he should know the opinion of responsible sections of the community. As the Chamber of Commerce represented all sections of the community it should be prepared to express a. definite opinion whether immigrants were wanted or not. England had 2,000,000 unemployed and she was spending millions a year on doles, the speaker continued. Many of these people would make desirable citizens. Was it asking too much of England to find the money to establish them in the sparsely populated places of the Dominion, where they would immediately become consumers and create extra work to fulfil their wants? If New Zealand did not make a movo other countries would. Australia, her nearest neighbour and most serious competitor in the Homo market, was keenly interested in immigration. Only recently the Federal Attorney-General had said that the timo was past for Australia to rely upon unlimited markets for her produce abroad, and what was true of Australia was also true of New Zealand. British Government's Attitude The Home Government was ready to consider schemes for Empire migration, for as recently as January 19 the Secretary for the Dominions, Mr. Malcolm • Mac Donald, had stated that it was for the Dominions to say the word "Go." The chamber should support the motion because immigration would benefit all sections of the community. "Now is the time to act," Mr. Ambler concluded. "England is willing to assist in settling her sons and daughters in her Dominions. Let New Zealand bo first to welcome them and we will reap a rich harvest "

Speaking in support of the motion Mr. G. Jackson said an increased population was desirable for several reasons. It would permit more diversified production, which was essential lo a wellbalanced economy. "By reason of our limited internal market many of our industries arc at present uneconomic," the speaker explained, "and the high resulting costs tend to lessen the. economic efficiency and cancel out tho great natural advantages of our primary industries. A larger internal market would permit of many economics in production and give wider and more diversified employment." Lower costs were essential if primary production was to bo maintained, as primary exports had to compete in the unsheltered markots of the world.. Land Settlement Advocated

Congratulating Mr. Ambler on bringing the matter forward, Mr. J. A. C. All am said that the selfish attitude of some people toward immigration was to be deplored. It had always seemed a great pity to him that orphanages were still maintained in Great Britain instead of being removed to country districts in the Dominions, where the orphans might possibly be trained and put on the land. In his opinion no Government could be too generous in settling people on the land. Several other speakers expressed their agreement with Mr. Ambler's motion, at tho same time stressing tho importance of efficient organisation for selecting suitable immigrants and ensuring that they should receive proper consideration when they arrived. The necessity for action to increase the population within the country and for doing something with New Zealand's own unemployed also were mentioned. The motion was carried without dissent. It was decided to forward the resolution to tho Government and also to send a copy to tho Associated Chambers of Commerce.