EMPIRE MIGRATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19315, 4 May 1937, Page 13

EMPIRE MIGRATION

"FARES MUST BE HALVED"

SIR J. COOK'S VIEW

SYDNEY, April 5

Sir Joseph Took, speaking in support, of the toast to the Millions Club at it's jubilee dinner at the Australia Hotel 'last night, declared that the one thing necessary to attract the right type of migrant to Australia was to halve the cost of getting -lie re.

British people with a little capital who would look after themselves when they got here, continued Sir Joseph Cook, would continue to go to Canada and South Africa until something was done to reduce passage costs here. These people could not afford to sink all their small capital in steamer fares for themselves and families. Vet thev were just the kind of immigrant that Australia needed. The Premier, Mr. Stevens, emphasised the progress that had been made in tho State since the 'Millions Club was formed 25 years ago. The population of New South Wales had increased in that; period by a million. Unfortunately, while the increase in JOl2 had been 85,000, it; was only 24,000 last year. This was partly due to tho cessation of migration and partly to the rapid decline of the birthrate. The last quarter of a century had soon vast increases in State production. Primary production had gone up from £48,000,000 to £70,000,000, and secondary production from £22,000,000 to £70,000,000. Throughout its existence the Millions, Club had been true to its motto, "Faith in our country, faith in our futuro, and faith in ourselves."