EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11665, 1 November 1923, Page 6

EMPIRE SETTLEMENT

AH URGENT MATTES DEPUTATION TO CHAMBER OF * COMMERCE. VISITORS’ WRONG IMPRESSIONS. The question of Empire settlement Was discussed at some length at yesterday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, when a deputation consisting of ATossrs Trowcr and Spencer, of the Auckland Settlement League, was received. The delegates addressed tho meeting on the question of immigration to tho Dominion, and the urgent need for practical steps to be taken in the matter. FARMERS WANTED. The Auckland Land Settlement League had as its object, said Mr Spencer, to obtain the aid of tho farmers. There were 66 million acres of land iu New Zealand, which area was as much as that of the whole British Isles. -‘Wo lia.vo a very insufficient population in New Zealand to carry on the country’s business,” declared Mr Spencer. The mission which travelled through the Dominion some short time ago received a wrong impression aa to tho country’s state. They rushed through, and were not given timo or opportunity to see the undevelopment of the country. In Auckland province alone there were nine million acres of land which were unoccupied. UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN., Tho unemployment question was touched on by the speaker, who declared that Britain was paying out huge sums as doles to her unemployed. This was producing a serious state of affairs. Not only could this money be used for Empire settlement, but also would its use in the above manner result in our markets being affected. The British unemployment question would have tho effect of placing Britain in the position of not being able to receive our foodstuffs-. If, however, we could absorb some of her population tbe matter would be materially aided. NEW ZEALAND’S POLICY. Tire Government of New Zealand was carrying on a policy at present which would take 200 years to effect what was aimed at, namely, adequate immigration Business throughout the whole of the Dominion would prosper if we forced the Government to take the matter in hand. The man in tho street did not know anything about the English Land Settlement Act, whereby £3,000,000 was laid aside every year for Empire settlement. A little over one million people could not hold New Zealand. If it were not for Great Britain our island would immediately bo grasped. ‘A WRONG IMPRESSION.” Mr Trower urged tho point that the recent mission had received the wrong impression of the Dominion as regards immigration. Fifty-six per cent, of the people of New Zealand were living in the towns, and they had failed to give tho movement their aid. The chairman (Mr J. Myers) proposed that the matter be held in abeyance until tbe annual conference, when a report may be obtained and Mr Massey cabled in England, and asked to take whatever steps are urged by tbe members.