Neglect or Necessity?

Southland Times, Issue 25795, 5 October 1945, Page 4

Neglect or Necessity?

To a certain extent it is part of a world-wide movement. In Britain, for instance, there has been a great increase in agricultural production; it is at least 70 per cent, above prewar levels. During the war, however, the labour force remained constant (mainly through the recruitment of women); the increased output was made possible by mechanization. There may still be much scope in New Zealand for scientific development; it is in that way, no doubt, that primary production will be maintained. Meanwhile the greater part of the population is congregating in the cities. If people are to be persuaded to live elsewhere, it will not be because new land is made available for settlement, but because new industries are being established in smaller cities. And at the moment there is only a languid movement towards decentralization. Industries do not spring up in country districts; they find their sites in thickly populated areas. Moreover, the process is being made rigid by the incidence of housing. The thousands of homes that are to be built in Auckland and Wellington will anchor the additional population for many _ years. These developments are creating interesting problems. They would not exist, or would be less formidable, if a planned immigration on any scale were a practical possibility. It is possible, too, that if the outside world discovers the alpine country of the south an expanded tourist trade will create business opportunities that will attract some people from the north. ' The immediate situation, however, is having psychological results which are worth examining. There is a general tendency (we have shared it ourselves, on more than one occasion) to speak of “the neglected south.” It is becoming easy to believe that the Government is responsible for many of our troubles because it spends more money in the north. If only the golden stream were turned southwards, all would be well. Nevertheless, there are limited funds in the Treasury; and if the North Island has twice as many people as the South, it becomes logical to expect a larger national expenditure where there are more people in need of services ahd amenities. The discrepancy is so obvious that some persons advocate secession, though perhaps not too seriously. They declare that the South Island should have its own Government, spend its own money, and control its own affairs. But here, too, the realities become assertive. If more money were to be spent in the South Island, the inhabitants would have to find it themselves; and there are limits to the taxes that can be wrung from half a million people. The drift to the north may be checked; but it may be necessary to wait for economic developments, at present unpredictable, before there is a balanced distribution of population.