IMMIGRATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 8

IMMIGRATION

TIME NOT RIPE FOR RESUMPTION THE TYPE REQUIRED By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH. November 8. The value of the resumption of controlled Immigration when conditions permit was emphasised by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, In the course of election speeches in the Kaipara electorate to-day. Mr Coates said he would be the last to advocate the resumption of immigration until the Dominion’s unemployed had been substantially reabsorbed in Industry. However, the day of New Zealand’s comparative isolation was ending. Before long it would be possible to travel by air from London to Auckland via Australia in a week, while the proposed PanAmerican Service would mean spanning the Pacific from San Francisco to Auckland in three days. New Zealand would then be the crossroads of round the world air services, and as a result would be brought far more closely into touch with world affairs. “New Zealand is still a country of open spaces,” Mr Coates said, “with wonderful natural resources and possibilities for development, but the question naturally arises whether we shall be able to keep the country unless we make some attempt to fill the empty spaces. We could support a larger population in New Zealand without any prejudice to the standard of living. An increase in the population would spread the burden of the national debt over a larger field and so reduce the burden of taxation. It would also lead to a more complete and effective utilisation of national works of all kinds with an Increase of revenue and a spreading of costs, while a larger internal market for our secondary industries would encourage their development and efficiency. In view of the present unemployment situation, measures for increasing the population by immigration must be proceeded with cautiously. However, if a scheme could be devised for encouraging immigrants with adequate capital, that would not prejudice the unemployed. The use of that capital would help to provide additional employment. There are also certain branches of industry which require skilled artisans of a standing which Britain alone -an provide. Room can well be made for them in New Zealand, as their presence would be an aid to further industrial development. These are the types of immigrants who should be welcomed, and when conditions permit the Government would be prepared to co-operate fully with the United Kingdom Government in any scheme of this sort."