Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 4

gains: Results such as those which we have mentioned cannot be dismissed as of small significance. They are indeed highly significant. One conclusion that is to be drawn from them is that it is important that country life should be made more attractive than it is. An expansion of primary production is essential in order that the prosperity of the Dominion may be maintained, and this points to the need for the provision in rural districts of amenities which they lack at present, to the end that they may hold their population and add to it. Above all, the rate of the natural increase of the population of New. Zealand demands the consideration of everyone who is exercised in mind about the welfare and security of the nation. The slow growth of our population threatens us with the danger of gradual extinction. The prospect of securing desirable immigrants from abroad is too uncertain to warrant our building any great hopes upon it. Moreover, there is fairly substantial agreement that the best additions we can secure to our population are those that are locally born.