SUPPORT WANTED TO BRING IMMIGRANTS FROM OLD COUNTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17995, 4 November 1926, Page 4

SUPPORT WANTED TO BRING IMMIGRANTS FROM OLD COUNTRY.

The support of the Canterbury Progress League in urging upon the Prime Minister that advantage should be taken of the Empire Settlement Act was sought by a deputation from the Imperial Mission which waited on the executive of the league last night. The deputation consisted of Dr E. G. Levinge and Messrs C. E. Jones and A. F. Wright. Dr Levinge said that the Imperial Mission approached the question of migration from the aspect of helping the Old Country in its present difficulties. They had no particular scheme to bring forward, and did not wish to enter into anything of a controversial nature. One matter that had been mentioned as likely to help the question of immigration was the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railway. But whatever scheme was adopted, it would have to be for migration under the Empire Settlement Act. It would be possible under the Act, however, to carry out development work in the Dominion. It was recently stated by the Hon A. D. M’Leod, /Minister of Lands, that there was an enormous area of land in New Zealand awaiting development. At the same time the Minister spoke about certain difficulties in regard to finance, but the speaker thought those difficulties might be overcome. A policy of migration under the Empire Settlement Act should be encouraged, as it would help the Old Country and would also benefit New Zealand as well. Dr Levinge concluded by urging the Progress League to send a cable to the Prime Minister urging him to take advantage of the benefits of the Empire Settlement Act. Mr Jones expressed the view that if the problem of migration was tackled seriously New Zealand would be able to absorb all the immigrants it could get. If a man was prepared to work and put his back into it he would make a success. They had" been told that there were thousands of acres in the North Island awaiting development, and it seemed a pity that a country like New Zealand was not taking advantage of the benefits of the Empire Settlement Scheme. PROVISIONS OF THE ACT. Mr Wright said that there appeared to be a great deal of misapprehension regarding the Empire Settlement Act. which was passed by the British Government in 1922. The Act provided for setting aside £3,000,000 a. year for fifteen yfcars to assist in Empire settlement, and the Imperial Government had offered to provide 50 per cent of the cost of public works carried out under the scheme. It was recognised that it was useless bringing immigrants to a country unless that country was able to absorb them. In a new country such as New Zealand, there were public works that required carrying out, and the present seemed an opportune time for some arrangement to be made under which some portion of the money available might be secured for New Zealand. So important did the Australian authorities consider migration matters that they haid entered into an agreement with the Imperial Government for an expenditure of £34,000,000 in connection with migration to the Commonwealth. He was of opinion that it was far better for Britain to spend £34,000,000 in settling migrants than paying the money away in unemployment relief. It was not proposed to bring people out to enter into competition with those already here or to swell the ranks of the unemployed, as money would be spent on development works that would provide employment for the immigrants. He thought that, they should avail themselves of the benefits under the Act. The chairman (Mr J. E. Strachan) said that it was true that at present they were faced with unemployment problems, and a good many people were afraid that further immigration would aggravate those problems. But New Zealand had not by any means been saturated in regard to immigration. The Dominion could absorb a very Large number of immigrants provided the matter was tackled in a thorough manner. Mr J. A. Henley asked the deputation if there was any danger of geting the chronic “dole-ites” out in New Zealand. Dr Levinge replied that with proper selection he thought there was no danger at all. Mr W. Goss said that there was a liaison committee set up between the Progress League* and the Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of considering which questions should be dealt with by each body. As the question of immigration was one that was being dealt with by the Chamber of Commerce, he thought that the matter might very well be referred to the liaison committee. He moved to that effect. g “A POLITICAL QUESTION” Mr J. D. Ilall said that if the course proposed by Mr Goss were adopted it would not be possible to send the cable to Mr Coates as suggested by the deputation. Mr Goss said that the (liaison committee would not go so far as to send a cable to the Prime Minister. Mr J. A. Flesher said that the question was largely a political one and he thought it required careful consideration before any action was taken. lie supported Mr Goss’s motion. The chairman said he thought the wisest course would be to refer the matter to the liaison committee. Mr W. J. Jenkin said that the deputation was asking that New Zealand should take immigrants from Britain and also buy British goods. He did not think it was possible to do both. If they were to absorb immigrants they would have to develop their secondary industries. Mr H. Holland, M.P., said that the small proportion of immigrants coming to the South Island in comparison with those going to the North Island was a 1 matter that might be considered. He ! also suggested that the league might investigate the possibilities of developI ing the dairy industry. Mr J. D. Ilall said that he had hoped I to move something like the following: * —“ That this league supports the Im-

perial Mission in urging on the New Zealand Government the necessity of initiating some policy of migration tinder the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, and in expressing disappointment that no advantage has been taken of the generous terms offered by the British Government under that Act and the Trade Facilities Act, 1924, to provide money to promote setttlement in the Dominion, so as to increase its productive capacity in all industries and make | .prPt-ision for migrants from Great Britain.” After further discussion it was decided to refer the whole matter to the liaison committee and to recommen* that it consider the adoption o/ motion suggested by Mr lian-