EMPIRE MIGRATION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11652, 17 October 1923, Page 4

EMPIRE MIGRATION

CHAMBER OF GOMI§ERGE_mSGUSSES SUBJECT DESCRIBED AS “ A MOST VITAL QUESTION” MEN AND MONEY WANTED MISAPPREHENSIONS REMOVED Mr A. Leigh Hunt (chairman of the development committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce) submitted to the Chamber yesterday a report of the committee on oversea settlement. Mr Hunt said that he regarded this question as a most vital one to the future development and prosperity of the Dominion, and strongly emphasised the need for taking the question entirely out of politics. So long as it was a political question he felt that no real progress would be made in regard to it. The only leading New Zealand politician who had referred distinctly and favourabl y to greatly increased immigration was Mr T. M. Wilford in his speech at the farewell banquet to the Prime Minister; but, unfortunately, Mr Wilford seemed to think that Great Britain could not send us many immigrants, though she had ij millions unemployed, and had recommended the immigration of Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians. Still more unfortunately, an interjection at the recent ■Farmers’ Union meeting had given the Overseas Settlement Delegation the impression that this country preferred Poles to Britishers. That, certainly, was not the stand taken by the Chamber. (Hear, hear.) It was greatly to be regretted that the Overseas Delegation had left New Zealand under the impression that this great country, with only thirteen people to the square mile, did not want any immigration.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT

PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE GOVERNMENT’S INACTION CRITICISED. The report of the committee pointed out that the question of largely increasing the population of the Dominion, as one of paramount importance, had received the endorsement of the council, as evidenced by the following resolution unanimously carried in May last: —“That, in view of the coming Imperial Conference and its consideration of the problem of Empire migration, it is desirable that a carefully considered and detailed scheme should be prepared showing the extent and manner in wsio?i New Zealand can participate to the besrt advantage. It is therefore the opinion of this chamber that a Commission, representative of all interests concerned, should be immediately convened by the Government to investigate the many aspects of the question, such commission to take evidence of persona and organisations and to report to the Government prior to the holding of the Imperial Economic Conference.” The committee had recently met and reviewed the events of the past twelve months as affecting this question, and the position arrived at to date, and it was earnestly concerned at the casual and unsympathetic manner in ivhich this vital issue had been treated. In support of this view it set forth the following:— (1) Notwithstanding the evident need for increased population, and the oftexpressed appeal by the Imperial av - | thorities for the overseas dominions to [ urgently assist in a vigorous policy of 1 Empire migration, the recent session of | Parliament failed to bring forth any l serious discussion on the subject. (2) The resolution of the council (since endorsed by a special general meeting of the Chamber), requesting the setting up of a commission to fully investigate the subject, met with no response or favourable consideration by the Government. OVERSEAS DELEGATION SLIGHTED. (3) Although it was known a year ago ' that the present Imperial Economic Conference was to be convened, at which Empire migration was to form >ne of the chief subjects, still the Cominion’s representative, the Prime Minister, was given no mandate or even a lead as to public opinion on this momentous issue. (4) The overseas immigration delegation, specially sent to Australia, and which visited New Zealand, to investigate the possibilities ol settlement in those two countries, spent some six months in the Commonwealth, but only three weeks in this Dominion. (5) In Australia every effort was made by the authorities and the public generally to urge the claims of that country for a fair proportion of Britain’s surplus population. (6) In New Zealand, flying visits of but some hours’ duration were paid to various centres, but owing to the lack of organisation and interest, confused and absolutely ill-prepared data submitted, which lias resulted in very unlavourably impressing the delegation with cither the desire or the ability of this Dominion to participate in the reception of further population from Great Britain. Your committee, however, desires to make it clear that no reflection on the Government officers who had charge of the delegation on their recent tour in New Zealand, is intended in connection with the foregoing statement. “NO PROSPECTS AT ALL.” On the day this report was adopted by the committee, it was pointed out, the following cable appeared in the local Press, fully substantiating the conclusions arrived at:— IMMIGRATION POOR PROSPECTS IN NEW ZEALAND. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright SYDNEY, October 9. The Overseas Immigration Delegalion returned by the Ulimaroa. They state that, after having visited all the piincipul parts of New Zealand, they are forced to soy the prospects oi immigration to the Dominion are very gloomy; in fact, there a-re no prospects at all. This is attributed to New Zealand’s indebtedness, which they state is extremely heavy. On the same date also appeared the following cable from London, showing

the active public spirit prevailing in England, as compared to that obtaining in New Zealand : NECESSITY FOR EMIGRATION INAUGURATION OF PUBLIC WORKS URGED. By Telegraph.— Pres,- Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, October 8. A conference representing four thousand 'business men of the Birmingham district, employing threequarters of the industrial population of the area, decided to urge on the Home and Dominion Governments the desirableness of developing their countries by the immediate inauguration of public works .already designed and approved. The proposal stresses the necessity for emigration on a block scale, and suggests that the financial provision involved be covered by an Empire loan, conditionally on the money being expended within the Empire. DECREASE OF MIGRATION. Such added the report is briefly a review of the history of this great question, as dealt with in New Zealand during the past 12 months; and jour committee feels it a duty to report to the council that, in its opinion, the manner in which the subject has been treated must undoubtedly reflect on the well-being, and may even be interpreted abroad as a reflection on the intelligence and the patriotism of this Dominion. While the other principal dominions of the Empire nave acted in a far seeing and progressive Bpirit, resulting in comprehensive schemes to absorb Great Britain’s surplus population, our country has hardly been sufficiently interested to raise a listening ear. British Board of Trad© returns show that for the first half of 1923, British migration to New Zealand actually decreased by 3380, as compared with the same period of the previous year. The contention may be put forth that this country is incapable of absorbing any large increase of population, out your committee rests assured that the council definitely recognises that such is not the ease. NEIED FOR ORGANISATION. This chamber, has, however, very rightly laid it down that efficient organisation throughout the whole country is imperative if a progressive policy is to be successfully earned out. The necessary steps may be summarised as follows: (1) Our own people should be clearly shown the country's capacity to profitably absorb increased population and tlic great benefits that would accrue therefrom, thus building up that solid public opinion so liecessa-ry to successfully carry out such a movement. Towards this end your committee ■ consider that a commission taking evidence from all classes and having its proceedings open to the press, is the most effective method of securing public opinion in a matter of this kind. (2) The services of all organised bodies should be enlisted, and their lespective responsibilities defined. (3) The housing question (which would be largely solved by the importation of skilled artisans), should he fully considered and a complete programme laid down. (4) The land laws, which prove detefrehtd to community settlement, should be overhauled ami amended, especially the land tax on large blocks of second-class land that may be takeu up by companies or societies formed specially tor close settlement after roadrng and preliminary developments. (5) Committees of citizens, farmers, and others, formed in every district to carry out the details of a well-consider-ed soheime making for rapid aud effi. cient absorption of the new arrivals, and especially oaring for their wellbeing, comfort, and contentment. (0) That any scheme of a comprehensive nature must necessarily include the introduction into the Dominion of British capital, to enable such new development works to be undertaken as will ensure the immediate absorption of migrants. In this regard, .your committee believes that this capital could and should be introduced as investments, rather than as State loans further increasing the Dominion’s indebtedness. “MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.”

In view of the many opportunities aiieady missed during the past j'car. to say nothing of the unfavourable pro judico created, your committee realises ihat the Dominion has a lot of leeway to make up, and suggests that this chamber’s previous rcqupst for a commission should be again pressed oil the favourable consideration of the Government, and that its findings be made available for use during the currency of the British Empire Exhibition, 1924. Also to urge that the Acting--I‘iimc Minister bo requested' to cable to Mr asking him to take steps to counteract the publish'd opinion of the Overseas Delegation to tile effect that there are no prospects whatever for immigration in the Dominion. In order to enlist the active cooperation of the other chambers of the Dominion, the AVellington delegates should attend the coming con’ercnte

(to be held next month in Auckland) fully prepared to present the complete case and secure the passing of the following remit already sent on by this chamber: “That the Dominion should adopt, under a veil-considered scheme, a progiessive policy towards securing a suffi i cient number of suitable migrants from tho United Kingdom each year, r.nd thus provide for the defence, prosperity and progress of New Zealand, r.nd at the same time assist in relieving tlic Mother Country of a portion of her surplus population.” He moved the adoption of the report. THE DISCUSSION BEPORT UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED Mr A. Mackenzie seconded tlie regulation, saying that the Labour representative on the Overseas Settlement delegation had put a meaning to Mr PoUori’s words at the Fanners’ Union meeting that Mr Poison had never intended. Mr Poison had Eaio that Now Zealand would welcome Britishers oven if they* made only* half as immigrants as the Poles ; and the delegate referred to had taken it as meaning that the Poles mads t\vi»e as good immigrants ns Britishers. He thought that the Dominion should enci urage Empire migration to the utmost in order to relieve as much as possible the very serious unemploy ment at Home. Mr J. T. Martin strongly supported the motion on similar grounds. Mr D. A. Ewen said that the chamlrer was deeply indebted to Mr Hurt and his committee for the able report presented. Personally, he strongly felt that it was this end that an organised scheme to assist immigration was needed; and he specially liked the suggestion that a citizen’s committee should bo set up for that purpose. He preferred the phrase “re-distribution, of Empire population” to the phrase “Empire . migration.” Many years ago the then (pre-war) Russian Government had enown what could he done in the way of organised community settlement, and had successfully' settled whole committee’s of people from European Russia in Siberia. The president (Mr J. Myers) also welcomed the report. It seemed to him that there slrould easily he room for double or treble our present population, without interfering, otherwise than beneficially, with the economic position of the workers already here. He oontended that if more skilled workers came out they would help to provide work for the men (mostly unskilled) at present unemployed, and would materially contribute to the solution of the housing problem. GREAT SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOtTR. Mr A. Fletcher (Wellington Builders and Contractors’ Association)* said that the great difficulty was that there was already a great shortage of skilled workers, especially in the building trade, at Home; and if any such workers did want to emigrate, America was so much nearer, and offered such greater opportunities for employment that they went there instead. There wa6 a great shortage of skilled workers in the building trade here; and a very serious phase of the matter was the absolute dearth of apprentices for the skilled trades in the building industry in the Dominion. We ought to get over the social prejudice against a man being seen with a kit of tools in his hand and in favour of “black-coat occupations.

MILLIONS OF ACRES OF UNDEVELOPED LAND. Mr Leigh Hunt, in reply, stressed the fact that there were nine million acres of undeveloped land in the Auckland district alone. Much of it was poor land, no doubt; but still it was capable of great improvement and development; and if adequate encouragement was given to British capital to develop it, it would afford opportunities for very many* immigrant-© from the Old Country. The report was unanimously adopted.