THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, October 16, 1936. IMMIGRATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23013, 16 October 1936, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, October 16, 1936. IMMIGRATION

The interest taken by delegates to the Congress of Chambers of Commerce in the subject of Empire migration was again manifested in utterances at the function at which they were the guests of this city. It is not surprising that observant visitors to New Zealand, particularly those who come from Great Britain, should be struck with the evidence afforded them of the capacity of this country to carry a largely-increased population. And since, as they reason, it would be to the advantage both of the Empire and of the Dominion that this result should be brought about, it is natural that they should be disposed to advocate a departure from a policy under which the very few migrants who are coming to these shores have not of late even balanced the departures, while the prospect of securing a large population by naturai increase is steadily disappearing. With a mental impression of the country through which he has been travelling, Mr Granville Gibson, a member of the House of Commons, has suggested that the people of New Zealand should really be ashamed of themselves for permitting so many smiling acres to carry so small a population. Mr Emlyn-Jones. another member of the delegation from Great Britain, has pleaded with New Zealand " not to make a

corner in this paradise." To a certain extent, perhaps, the justice of Mr Gibson's impeachment must be conceded. The case of Australia may be a more outstanding example in point. But Mr Gibson was right to the extent that for one reason or another immigration with a view to the closer settlement of its vacant spaces has not been encouraged as it might have been, or as a continuous policy, by this Dominion. The tendency of this community, and that of Australia also, has been to regard it as inimical to the interests of its own people that immigrants should arrive in any considerable number. The workers have not desired to see newcomers competing in the labour market. A parochial view as regards immigration, an apparent fear of its results, may be said to have prevailed now over a period which goes much further back than the beginnings of the economic depression. As Mr Granville Gibson has observed, it has always been a case of the time not being opportune. And, pointing to the present position, he has questioned the wisdom of this procrastination in governmental policy, and asked, in effect, if there is ever likely to be a time that will appear opportune for the encouragement of immigration. It cannot be denied that if she had a considerably greater population New Zealand would be in a better position than she is to contribute effectively towards her own security. Lack of population is a weakness so far as her protection is concerned. Viscount Elibank has emphasised that in the matter of defence each dominion has now its own increased responsibilities. The smaller the population 'by which these responsibilities have to be carried the more likely are they to appear burdensome. Again there is need of consideration of the effect of the smallness of the country's population in relation to industrial development. The domestic market is not large enough to permit the manufacturer to concentrate to any extent, and factories exist largely, to use Mr Granville Gibson's phrase, on "bits and bats " —a little of everything—with higher costs and lower efficiency as a result. The growth of the secondary industries of the Dominion seems to depend upon an increase of its population of which there is no prospect at present. The soundness of the general arguments supporting the contention that it is to its own interest and to the interest of the Empire that this Dominion should have a greater population is not to be denied. It must be allowed that the attitude which always postpones active promotion of this objective is not helpful. But neither is it a very helpful suggestion on Mr Granville Gibson's part that when times are prosperous, and such as New Zealand may regard as opportune for the reception of immigrants, Great Britain, does not have the right type of emigrant to send to the dominions. When all is said, and admitting the importance of the wider outlook, it is unfortunately inevitable at the present time that the Dominion viewpoint should be affected by certain hard facts which simply cannot be ignored. While serious unemployment among its workers is a problem with which this country is still grappling, it cannot be expected to agree that the juncture is opportune for it to encourage immigration. Inducements could not fairly be offered to migrants to come to the Dominion in such circumstances. The problem of absorption has difficult aspects. And should a resumption of immigration be possible under improved economic conditions, even so' it would have to be very carefully planned in order to ensure successful results.