AUSTRALIAN POPULATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23805, 11 May 1939, Page 17

AUSTRALIAN POPULATION

ENCOURAGEMENT OF INCREASE (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, May 2. A suggestion that, to increase the i population of Australia, the Ger- ' man method of advancing money to young married couples and suspending repayment when they had children should be adopted, has been made by Sir Arthur Rickard, president of the Millions Club. “ We are blind if we let the present situation continue," declared Sir Arthur Rickard, who has been associated with immigration for 30 years “If the menace which arises from the present international position does not stir us to some action to populate this country, we do not deserve to hold it.” Australia, he said, should take measures similar to those in Germany and Italy. “ One of the most effective of these is in Germany.” he said. “Young married couples are advanced money with which to set up house The Government rebates a portion of the debt for each child bom, and wipes out the debt entirely if the parents have four children.” There was nothing in this scheme that the most fervent democrat could say was binding in an undemocratic way, Sir Arthur Rickard went on. Another possible inducement might be to allow substantial deductions from income tax for families. There was already a provision of this sort which could be developed. “ Immigration is another way of increasing population,” said Sir Arthur. “ Labour politicians have consistently opposed this for the last 50 years. They do not recognise that migrants assist us in running our railways, because they increase the number of passengers, and they share our taxation. But the best immigrant is the baby Our slogan should be. 'Keep the cradles full.’ ”