NEED FOR MORE POPULATION

Southland Times, Issue 25334, 10 April 1944, Page 2

NEED FOR MORE POPULATION

ROYAL commission ADVOCATED A request that a Royal Commission should be set up immediately to make a long range survey of the question of immigration to New Zealand after the war is made in a letter which Mr A. Leigh Hunt, chairman of the Dominion Settlement Association, has sent to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. A copy of the letter has been received by Mr J. N. Armour, president of the Southland Progress League. A few months ago Mr Leigh Hunt, at the invitation of the league, visited Invercargill and gave a public address on the need for increased population in the Dominion. In urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission, the letter states that comprehensive planning and organization were essential requirements of successful settlement. The survey would probably occupy a year and hence the need for its early institution. Such investigation and planning would in no way militate against the settlement of tiie Dominion’s returning servicemen as both could rake place simultaneously. The suggestion made by Major Sir Clutha Mackenzie, who was now in India, that British shbldiers and their families from India should be settled in New Zealand should be investigated without delay, otherwise this valuable source of a fine type of new settler would be lost. ORPHAN CHILDREN The letter then goes on to deal with the proposal that orphan children from Britain and Europe should be brought to New .Zealand after the war. It states: “As we previously represented to you, the association is firmly convinced that the reservoir of juvenile immigration, represented by orphans from .Great Britain and Europe, offers a unique opportunity to balance the unduly ageing nature of New Zealand’s present population. Furthermore, we believe it would present far less difficulties than adult immigration and produce better results. Housing and employment requirements would be absent from this form of immigration and assimilation into the life of our community would be more rapid and effective. “The association contemplates that subsequent to a campaign urging the people to open their hearts and homes to these unfortunate children large numbers indeed would be adopted, specially into many l childless homes that, unfortunately, exist throughout the Dominion. “It is obvious that unless plans are completed without delay, so that they will be ready to put into execution immediately after the war ends, we shall miss this highly valuable source of securing a most desirable type of immigrant, and at the same time lose our opportunity of making a substantial contribution to the relief of a war-; wracked world. “A large . number of letters from prospective immigrants are now reaching’ us from various parts of the world asking for information, and we earnest- . ly desire to be in a position to transmit encouraging replies. Australia, Canada and other countries have advanced plans, and New Zealand will need to move quickly to get abreast of them. “In conclusion, we assure you that we have ample evidepce that the great majority of the people, and quite irrespective of any sectional or political interests, are eagerly awaiting a favour-. able lead from the Government in what they believe to be the paramount domestic issue of the times.”