THE BIRTH RATE

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 5

THE BIRTH RATE

MUST BE ENCOURAGED THE NEEDS OF IMMIGRATION POPULATION FOB DOMINIONS lUniied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 28 “For the highest Imperial reasons, we must devise a policy which will increase the birth rate.” That was said by the Secretary for the Dominions, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, when addressing the House of Commons on migration to the Dominions. “1 am inclined to think,” Mr MacDonald said, "that unless we can encourage the birth rate, this island alone cannot supply the whole of the immigration population needed for the development of the Dominions. "Either the birth rate must rise or we must resort to the immigration of foreigners. 1 am not alarmed at the prospect. 1 certainly would not criticise the Australian Government for giving- facilities to the right type of foreigners to settle in Australia. "Let them try to get specimens of some of the best agricultural populations of Europe. I would not regard even a considerable amount of immigration of that kind with alarm.” After referring to the resumption of assisted immigration to Australia, Mr MacDonald said: — "When the authorities in Canada and New Zealand feel that domestic conditions allow them to enter into an agreement for assisted immigration we will give the same goodwill and assistance as we arc giving under our agreement to Australia.”