THE LIMIT OF LONDON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 5

THE LIMIT OF LONDON.

GROWTH OP POPULATION NEARLY AT AN END.

I.ondon has nearly reached its limit of population. That is one of the conclusions in an interesting report issued a fou- weeks ago on the decline in tho rntablo value of London. Discussing the causes, Mr. J. C. Spensley, assistant statistical officer of' the London County Council, declares that while to some extent increasing taxation and rates havo had their effect, tho chief causes are probably thoso associated with the movement. oi' population, more especially the movement outwards. Thero has been a lessening of the. demand for. house accommodation, involving ail increase oi empty properties and a reduction ot rents. , , There can be little doubt, soys Mr. Spensley, that dissatisfaction with the olil type of house in London is a factor of considerable importance, in the outward movement of tho population. Moreover, it is a factor which afTscts almost all classes of thc population. "London," snys Mr. Spensley, ' has reached tho stage when tho growth of population has nearly como to an end. Ho anticipates that the annual increase in ratable value in the next few years will not be great, but that there will be substantial growth for some j*enrs to eome, largely owing to thc continuing concentration of business and tho rebuilding oi business premises in thc central area.