FINDING HOMES FOR EUROPEAN REFUGEES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21210, 3 December 1938, Page 10

FINDING HOMES FOR EUROPEAN REFUGEES

Australia’s decision to admit into the Commonwealth, fifteen thousand refugees from Europe will doubtless turn attention to the likely attitude of the Government and people of New Zealand in relation to the great problem of finding homes for groups of the tens of thousands of homeless members of humanity who are now on the move. The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, in making its decision, has laid down certain clearly defined conditions which are designed to obviate the upbalancing of t|je national economy of the great Island Continent, by the influx of thousands of foreigners who cannot be readily absorbed into employment along readily available channels. It is not intended, therefore, to open wide the gates of Australia for the admission of migrants regardless of race and qualifications. Definite restrictions have been laid down that will apply to the selection of migrants from foreign countries who will readily fit into the national economy of Australia. It is interesting to observe that the Australian plan has been so carefully thought out that the Federal Government’s ultimate decision has been given the ungrudging support of all political parties; indeed, the Leader of the Federal Labour Opposition has made a statement specially commending the Government’s plan to contribute, in a practical way, towards the solution of the great problem of finding new homes for tens of thousands of the human family who find themselves homeless, because they are racially and religiously repugnant to the totalitarian countries. Doubtless the decision of the Australian Government, will give renewed impetus to the movement that is taking shape in New Zealand in support of a plan that will permit the admission of a restricted number of European refugees into New Zealand. It is well, however, that the Government, which has to make the final decision, should approach this question with the utmost care. No attempts should be made by enthusiastic groups of sympathetic citizens to stampede the Government into taking a false step at this juncture. It is realised, of course, that the eyes of the world are on the Dominion at the moment, but that fact should not influence the Government, in any way. The Government and people of New Zealand have to face up to the stern realities as they confront the Dominion to-day. It is admitted, of course, that New Zealand should be carrying a larger population under normal conditions. But can it be said that with thousands of men on sustenance, more thousands on subsidised work, and a record number engaged on public works that are being constructed to provide employment for men out of work, that the country can claim that the unemployment problem has been solved, and that normal economic conditions prevail? It is true that there is a scarcity of labour in certain skilled trades, but it is doubtful if this need could be met by an influx, even of specially selected foreign migrants. The Dominion of New Zealand of course, has to play its part as a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of British nations, in facing up to world problems. Nevertheless, the question of opening the gates of this country to admit any large number of foreign refugees from Europe calls for the most careful consideration of all factors, before a sound and just decision can be made by the Government, upon whose shoulders reposes the whole responsibility of contributing its full share in finding a solution of a pressing problem of unprecedented complexity.