Our Own Problem First

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 8

Our Own Problem First

New Zealand and Empire Population NEW ZEALAND, with one aud a-lialf millions of people, has 14 to every square mile of territory. Great Britain, with 45 millions, accommodates 480 to the square mile. A more equal distribution of these people would, it is recognised, benefit the Empire, but a recent economic survey indicates that the Dominion’s first problem is to put its own population house in order.

r £'HIS country’s advancement toward nationhood has been checked in recent years, first by a marked decline in the natural increase in population, and secondly by an almost, complete stoppage by the New Zealand Government of immigration from the Old Country. A study of population tendencies shows, however, that while Canada has taken more than twice the number of emigrants going to Australia and New Zealand, since the beginning of this century, the Commonwealth and New Zealand have increased in population more rapidly than any other countries. For the 40 years preceding 1921, New Zealand, in fact, led the world in population increase, with an average of 23 in every 1,000 a year, Australia coming next with 22 and the United States following with 19 and Canada with IS. In the past few years, however, the natural increase in this country has fallen to around about 12 for every 1,000 people, while a similar decline was registered in most other countries. NORTHWARD DRIFT But New Zealand’s population problems lie mainly within the country. Two marked movements during the past half century have been the urban drift and the drift to the North, both of which are regarded as significant factors in general advancement. Figures which cover the past 50 years reveal that while the South Island has increased steadily in population, the North has gone ahead much more rapidly. In ISSI the North had 39.4 per cent, of the people and the South 60.6 per cent. Today the percentages are altered to 61.9 and 38.1 respectively. This northward movement continues slightly, but it is slowing down perceptibly. From 1901 to 1921 the North’s share of population rose from 50.5 per cent, to 60.8 per cent., but since 1921 the growth has been only 1.1 per cent., and observers suggest that a new balance has been achieved, and that the two islands might progress more evenly in future. More importaut to the Dominion

than this inter-island distribution of its people is the problem of balancing the drift from the country to the towns, which, some politicians have suggested, is overdone and likely to affect New Zealand adversely. The country population has fallen from 02 per cent, of the total to 48 per cent, in just over 30 years, the greater part in this change being registered since about 1911. The reasons for this drift are discussed by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, in a recent review of population tendencies, in which it is claimed that there is much evidence that the urban drift has gone too far and that the distribution of population has become unbalanced and inappropriate to New Zealand conditions. “The prevalence of town unemployment in both New Zealand and Australia,” the Southern chamber says, “points to the conclusion that the urban drift has proceeded too far and that the distribution of population has become unbalanced. While unemployment persists on any considerable scale immigration is unlikely to increase. But in Britain the unemployed have numbered about or above 1,000,000 for the past nine years. BRITAIN AND OURSELVES “Britain’s problem Is one of 45,000,000 with a density of 480 a square mile. Ours is a problem of one million and a-half who live on an average 14 to the square mile. “Our problem might be solved and our progress ensured by the increased demand for local products created by an expanding population. Britain’s might be greatly relieved by effective emigration. But we must first secure the appropriate distribution of our people between town and country by restoring the balance of attractiveness between town and country occupations. “When that difficulty Is overcome we can serve Britain and ourselves as well by resuming immigration on the fullest scale.” New Zealand’s problem, then, is one primarily for her own settlement. Its solution is one of the knottiest tasks engaging the thoughts of our legislators at the present time.