LIGHT UP THE VILLAGES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16410, 2 January 1919, Page 5

LIGHT UP THE VILLAGES.

Sir H. Rider Haggard, the novelist, writes in the London "Times":— I make bold to say that one of the great reasons for the desertion of the rural districts is their appalling darkness during the long winter months. In short, next to the provision of decent houses nothing would do more to stop the exodus and make the land popular than the universal introduce tion of electricity in all its forms, including that of the telephone. With all our water-power, and other means of generating energy, it is quite possible to do this as a State undertaking and even, I believe, on a basis that would prove remunerative, however low the charges to the consumer. Other countries can do these things, why then cannot we in Britain attain to the level and enlightenment of, let us say, Denmark? • The answer is, of course, that we can if only the Government takes the matter up as a national service, like that of the Post Office, and with the determination not to be thwarted. "Bverv friend of the land and believer in the "possibilities of the bettering or village life will hope that such is the intention and that it will not be allowed to fade when the election is over.