NEW ZEALAND'S NEED

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3479, 14 June 1934, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S NEED

BIG IMMIGRATION SCHEME FINANCED FROM BRITAIN. MIR D. V. BRYANT'S PROPOSAL. Designed to increase the population of New Zealand with young Englishmen of the right type, and at the same tf me bring into productive capacity the vast areas of idle and partially developed land in the Dominion, an immigration scheme to be financed with a fund of £10,000,000, to be raised in Britain by way of gifts, has been formulated by Mr D. V. Bryant, of Hamilton, well known as founder of the Waikato Land Development society- , «. Actually the scheme means the rejuvenation of immigration into the Dominion, but with the essential feature that the prospective settlers will be financed from Britain, and will not be a liability in any way upon New Zealand.

For several months now Mr Bryant has been making a special study and inquiry into the possibilities of increasing INew Zealands' population, with the. view of relieving the strain on the finances of the country and also minimising the position with regard to unemployment, and the results of his investigations have convinced him that something on the limes of his scheme is within '-the realm of reality.

" The position to-day is that New Zealand needs more population of a type which will produce a class, of men and women second to none in the world," said Mr Bryant, in outlining his proposals to a Waikato Times representa.ive. "The best means of achieving this end appears to me to be the importation of some of England's soundest young people—sound physically, mentally, and morally—to provide the foundation for future generations of this type in this Dominion. We know that to bring this class of. people from England at the present time would be disastrous if they had no capita!!, because they would aggravate the economic position in New Zealand. To my mind, the scheme cannot be inaugurated without personal sacrifice on the part of Englands' wealthy people, who, I believe, would be willing to assist us -with sufficient funds by way of gift to put the plan into operation. If sufficient demonstration can be given in this Dominion by way of individual effort by various organisations to show that the people here are really prepared to support the scheme, I think we should be entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these young people from England." Mr Bryant added that if it could be shown that the Dominion was interested in the plan he believed it would be possible to get, say, £lO,000,000 in one campaign in England. If this was forthcoming, and the plan was inaugurated, it would naturally mean a greater internal consumption of the country's produce and increased spending power; circulating in the community. It would also have the effect of reducing unemployment by the absorption of labour. Describing the method by which the proposed scheme would be financed, Mr Bryant pointed out that there were many people in England with surplus wealth which could be utilised for productive schemes such as this, if they were acquainted with the aims and ideals of this plan. For instance, if a wealthy man were willing to nominate one or more suitable young men as potential settlers for New Zealand he would be asked to provide sufficient capital by way of gift to enable New Zealand organisations associated with the scheme to establish his nominees in the Dominion. By this means there would be no liability on this country in any form, as the new settlers would be financed directly with the money subscribed in England. After settlement, they would be in debt to the New Zealand organisations controlling the scheme to the extent of the value of their properties, which would, however, be a continuing asset, or would automatically carry on the settlement work for the benefit of future arrivals.

'•I consider that it would be a better business proposition for a man with surplus wealth to invest some of his money in this scheme than to retain it in less useful forms," said Mr Bryant. " I am convinced that people with capital to-day are very m'uch inclined to value this work as a greater asset than surplus wealth aqcumulating without productive worth, and I anticipate that from the aspect, as a business proposition alone this scheme is possible. It has been demonstrated by the Waikato Land Settlement Society that it is possible to institute organisations in New Zealand which will foster a scheme of this nature." The opinion that it would not be reasonable to expect the Government of New Zealand to accept responsibility for the scheme was expressed by Mr Bryant, who added that it would not be right to ask England to give her money in sending her young men here unless they were to be under the direct care of individuals who would take an interest in their well-being. The plan must be the personal responsibility of individuals constituted as organisations.

M contend that there is room in New Zealand for a population many times greater than that of to-day," said Mr Byrant. " Our essential services, such as railways, roads, and power systems, as well as our natural resources are capable of pi.bviding for a considerably larger population, and I think that our climatic conditions are ideal in respect to this. There are vast areas of land waiting to be opened up, besides other areas' only partially developed, and increased population will naturally mean increased internal consumption of our products." While this scheme is designed on the lines of the Waikato Land Settle-; ment Societys' development operations, the Society is not responsible for its propagation, the proposal beirg evolved by Mr Bryant with the object of encouraging closer settlement and increasing the Dominion's population. Although still in its infancy, the scheme has already been accorded recognition in high quarters, and with this encouragement further steps are being taken to ascertain the possibility of br'nging it to fruition.