POPULATION SHORTAGE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 3

POPULATION SHORTAGE

ANSWER TO LABOUR CRITICS. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald.”) WELLINGTON, July 26. With- the object of discouraging emigration to New Zealand, the WelIrngfon Labour Representation Committee has published in England a gloomy picture of conditions in New Zealand. The Hon. Nosworthy, Minister ol Immigration, in the course of an effective reply, shows how the Labour extremists have generalised from the extreme facts, quoting Wellington housing conditions as an, example of the difficulty’ in finding accommodation, although, as Minister points out, the difficulty is most acute there, but immigrants are well advised about going to jhe country, where houses are easier to obtain. The immigrants art advised by the Labour Committee to avoid country wort, but the Minister lists; would the Government be prepared to find passages for farm workers and their wives on the payment of £lO each, this involving a- State subsidy of about £3O on each third-class fare, if the result was to be simply a wasteful journey for the people who aro coming. TELLING FIGURES. After declaring that New Zealand can immediately absorb 4000 men on public works alone, Mr Nosworthy goes on to say: The real object of the Labour Representation Committee seems to be divulged in its pas ing reference to the fear of a glut in tire labour market. An extreme section of Labour is anxious to maintain the serious shortage which lies at the root of the scarcity of houses, for the coai output for some mouths was seriously reduced by the “go-slow” policy, uud the supply of" bricks and cement was consequently restricted. This short-sighted attempt to discourage the workers in England from emigrating Would, if successful, hamper the efforts of the people of New Zealand to develop the unrivalled resources- of the Dominion. A few* official figures would- be more convincing than the extreme generalisations oi a few partisans, such as the Laboul Representation Committee, concludes the Minister. “During the 5 yeart from 1910 to 1914, inclusive. New Zealand absorbed an additional population by way of immigration totalling 35,894, or an average of over 7000 immigrants per annum. During the succeeding 5 years, 1915 to 1919 inclusive, the total gain in population by way of immigration was only 6891. Thus it ii evident that the cessation of emigration from England owing to tire war resulted in a total deficiency in New Zealand’s usual accessions to her population from overseas of at least 22,109 persons. To tins deficiency must be added the loss of 16,000 gallant young New Zealanders who gave their lives for the limpirc, and still a larger number who, by reason of wounds and! sickness, have returned from the war unable to render economic service to their country, w'hich they were able to do before the war. Here we see proved beyond a doubt the great curtailment of the country’s labour resources. It proves the urgent need for immigration, and the fac-4 that work is hero awaiting the newcomer. New Zealand has a splendid climate, good land, mineral resources, and a hard working, enterprising people, but it has ouly ten people to the square mile, compared with England’s 669, Scotland’s 156 and Ireland’s 137. We want to fill up the empty spaces and to develop our fine resources. We are not lacking financial resources, but it is obvious that the Dominion’s outstanding need is labour. Hence, the Gc-vei'iiraent’s determination to carry on a vigorous policy encouraging the emigrant from the Homeland, despite the short-sighted criticism of a few extremists who wish to preserve all the benefits of this favoured land for a handful of people.”