POPULATE OR PERISH

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 19 January 1950, Page 7

POPULATE OR PERISH

CONFERENCE ON POPULATION R.S.A. Support As a result of discussion of the report of the Dominion conference on population held in Wellington by the Dominion Settlement and Population Association, the Putaruru R.S.A. recently moved a resolution supporting the extension of New Zealand’s immigration policy. Figures contained in the report entitled “Populate or Perish,” gave comparative figures of New Zealand’s and Australia’s proposed plans to increase their populations. Target for 1950 for New Zealand is 2540 new settlers against Australia’s proposed 250,000. Present populations of - each country are 1,800,000 and 8,000,000, respectively. Sir Howard Kippenberger moved the following resolution at the conference: “That in order to contribute to national security and the wel. fare of the Dominion, this conference of delegates from organisations having a total membership of 273,000 urges the adoption by the Dominion of a vigorous immigration policy with an objective of the introduction of an absolute maximum of new settlers yearly. The conference is of the opinion that with efficient organisation and planning the following targets could be achieved within three years, and thereafter progressivly increasing: at least 10.000 in 1950, 50,000 in 1951, 80,000 in 1952, a total of 140,000 in three year.”

The question was asked: Why is |jfew Zealand’s present immigration policy fixed at 9600 for the next three years? Over 70 years ago, in 1873-4-5, 62,499 immigrants arrived in New Zealand, when/ there were only 300,000 people in the whole country at that time. The urgent need for increases became apparent, the report continued, when it was realised the population of the East is 1,200,000,000 and increasing at the rate of 43,000 per day, equal to 30 per minute throughout the 24 hours.

Disconcerting figures regarding our present population were stated to include the ageing of the people and the drift to cities and boroughs. Percentage of total white population over 60 years of age were: 1881, 2.71 per cent.; 1938, 11.40 per cent.; 1942, 12.7 per cent.'; 1944, 13.5 per cent.; 1948, 14.0 per cent. In 1881 rural population comprised 59.44 per cent, of the population, and urban 39.80; in 1936, 40.32 and 59.29; in 1945, 36.81 and 62,09.

Figures of those engaged In farm work were: 160,800 in 1935-36; 128,500 in 1944-45; 126,400 in 194647, a decrease of 34,440 in twelve years.