POPULATION PROBLEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 10

POPULATION PROBLEM

THE DOMINION’S NEEDS IMMIGRATION ADVOCATED MOTHERHOOD ENDOWMENT The hope that before very long there would be created a new portfolio in the Cabinet to deal with immigration was expressed by the Hon. W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in addressing members of the Auckland 'branch of the Royal Empire Society. Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., who presided over an attendance of about 40, said it was gratifying to see men in Mr. Barnard’s position actively associating themselves in the Dominion's population and migration problems. “I would like to answer the charge that has been made to the effect that in sponsoring the New Zealand Five Million Club I am flying a kite on behalf of the Government so that it may determine its policy according to public reaction,” said Mr. Barnard. “That issue has recently been made on the basis of one for two. To maintain last year’s dividend rate of IGj per cent on the increased capital an advance of at least £25,000 in earnings would be necessary, j,

is not the ease and there were no dark schemes behind the movement.” The lack of household help was a factor bearing on the x-educed birthrate, said Mr. Barnard. Girls declined to go in for domestic work, the principal reason being tiiat the work suggested a social inferiority. The endowment of motherhood was desirable, continued tire speaker. Apart from income tax relief and family allowances the State did nothing to assist tile people. Unemployment Bogey “We arc a rather impudent people in our attitude to immigration,” Mr. Barnard continued. “We object to fresh stock coming into the country and we have no ethical ground for our stand. The existence of the British Navy is the only reason why we can maintain our attitude.” Some people claimed that the Dominion’s difficulties were due to a defective monetary system. He did not accept that view and considered no alteration of the financial system would be as effective as a well devised, supervised and financially planned scheme of immigration, which lie believed would be welcomed by the farmers. “It is raising a bogey to say that immigration will increase unemployment,” Mi'. Barnard added. “In my opinion the existence of unemployment, generally speaking, lias nothing to do with the question of population.” There was a shortage of building operatives, woollen workers, farm hands and domestic help and the admission of those types of workers would assist the Dominion to adjust I her conditions.