POPULATION NEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24972, 15 August 1944, Page 6

POPULATION NEED

IMMIGRATION I'OLICT ASSOCIATION'S REQUEST (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday The expectation that a lull statement on the Government's immigration policy will be made to a deputation from the Dominion Settlement Association .which is soon to wait on the Prime Minister, Mr l'Vaser, was expressed liv the chairman of the association, Mr A. Leigh Hunt, today. The brief reference which Mr Fraser had made to immigration in his recent review of his mission abroad was obviously not intended to be a statement of policy, said Mr Hunt, and the association meantime did not wish to comment on it at any length. Need to Prepare Scheme "We take second place to no one in our desire to do everything possible for the rehabilitation of returning servicemen," Mr Hunt added, •"but we are convinced there can be no successful long-term rehabilitation unless steps are taken to remove the imminent threat of a declining population. The future prosperity of civilian and serviceman alike depends on the maintenance ot an adequate population. Without it both business and social services will ultimately collapse under an overwhelming taxation burden. "While it, may not be advisable to put an assisted immigration scheme into actual operation until rehabilitation of servicemen is proceeding satisfactorily, it is obvious that it we do nofc prepare a scheme now we will not be able to get the immigrants we want when we do want them, '1 he reconstruction of Kurope w 'l! create a great demand for manpower there, hut there can he no doubt that many people will he anxious immediately alter the war to break with old associations and make a fresh start in a new country. 'I he time to secure them will he within a year or two of the armistice. H we delay until everything has settled down again we will be too late, especially as other countries have shown that they are alive to the importance of the population question and are already far advanced with their immigration plans. War Orphans "Meantime we could well proceed actively with juvenile immigration. That could not in any way militate against the rehabilitation of servicemen. as it does not involve either housing or employment. The opportunity to obtain war orphans -will probably be confined to the period immediately after the war. Unless we make our plans and are ready to welcome them promptly we will be forestalled by other countries, losing a unique opportunity of counteracting the present ominous ageing of