OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 8

OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT.

DOMINION'S LACK OF INTEREST. 1 WELLINGTON CHAMBER Oh COMMERCE’S REPORT. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 16. The special committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce reported to-day on the question of overseas settlement. Mr Leigh Hunt (chairman) remarked that it wa s greatly to be regretted that the Imperial Delegation had left the dominion under the impression that New Zealand did not want immigration. The report, after reviewing the events of the last year, stated that while other dominions had acted in a far-seeing, progressive spirit, resulting in comprehensive schemes to absorb Great Britain’s surplus people. New Zealand had hardly been sufficiently interested to '<ai.se a listening ear. For the first half of 1923 British immigration to New Zealand actually decreased by 3330. The committee therefore recommended that efficient organisation throughout the dominion was imperative, unci it summarised the necessary steps as follows: 1. Our ‘own people should be shown the country’s capacity to absorb profitably the increased population, thus building up a solid public opinion necessary for the movement’s success. Towards this end a commission should be appointed to take evidence from all classes. 2. The housing question should be fully considered and a programme formed. 3. The land laws should bo overhauled, especially the tax on large blocks of secondclass land that may be taken up by companies or societies. 4. Citizens’ committees should be formed to arrange for the efficient absorption of immigrants. 5. British capital will be needed and should bo introduced as investments rather than State loans, which would further increase our indebtedness. The chamber adopted the report. It was resolved to enlist the active co-operation of the other chambers.