MIGRATION REVIVAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 30 September 1936, Page 2

MIGRATION REVIVAL

AUSTEALIANS FAVOUR* ABLE

NEED FOE. POPULATION

'I think the whole Australian delegation is favourable to the revival oi migration, but with adequate safeguards," said Captain T. A. LennoxBigger, of Melbourne, who acted as secretary to a party of Australian delegates to the Chamber of Commerce Congress which arrived at Auckland Loin Australia by the Awatea". All were certainly opposed to indiscriminate migration.

The nature of tho problem was realised, and if. was a. very difficult one seeing that the type of migrant desired was not available, Captain LennoxBigger added. They favoured the development of such schemes as the Fairbridge scheme for tho settlement of boys.

'"From every point of view we need more popnlation, even more so than New Zealand," said Captain LennoxBigger. Ho mentioned the wide unoccupied spaces of Australia and the need for peopling these as a safeguard against trouble in tho Pacific. No immediate danger was anticipated, but a difficult situation might arise if Great Britain became involved in hostilities in Europe.

It was realised that the resumption of migration would not meet tho problem immediately. There was a feeling in Australia that sooner or later the people would bo called upon to defend their shores. Nothing in the nature of a panic existed, but it was thought, wise to people the country. "We. have always been attached to a 'White Australia' policy," Captain Lennox-Bigger added. Besides taking part in discussions on tlus subject at the congress, the Australian delegates also would express themselves favourable to the renewal of

tho Ottawa agreements. Captain LennoxBigger said. Other subjects in which they were particularly interested were shipping subsidies, Imperial unity and exchange stabilisation.