ENGLAND'S LIFE BLOOD

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 5

ENGLAND'S LIFE BLOOD

RURAL POPULATION EBBING,

TO THE GREAT DOMINIONS. UNTILLED FARM LANDS. By Tclagrapli— Press Association—Copyright "Times" —Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. (Hoc. December 19, G.'IO p.m.) London, December 18. A report on tho migration of population from tho rural districts of England and Wales, which lias been prepared by the Hoard of Agriculture at tho request of tho Dominions Royal Commission, states that agricultnro is .not expanding as an industry. Tho area of farmed land is steadily declining. Low wages are not so much the causo of discontent as the lack of opportunity. Tho normal movement from tho country to tho towns is largely supplemented by emigration overseas, wlioro freer life, easier facilities to become a land-owner, nnd a wider scopo for energy and enterprise appear to bo tho chief inducements.

(Press Association.) ' (Rec.' Dccomber 20, O.lu a.m.) London, December 19. Tlio report of tlio Board of Agriculture on tho rural depopulation of England and Wales states that sinco 1901, about 1,060,000 acres havo passed out of tillage, and 308,000 acres out of cultivation. This is attributed to cmigation to Canada and Australia, duo to tho activity of emigration agents in advertising tlio allurements of colonial life, and to tho low wages in tho rural districts. These are amongst the chief causes, but thero is no evidence, states tho report, that emigration is greatest from tlio districts whero wages are least. Tho report adds that thoro is a genoral deficiency in skilled farm hands. An.y sharpening of tho intelligence, due to improved literary education, does not compensate for tho Jack of technical training. Moreover, many areas of agrieulturo are being neglected by thoso who still seek employment on tho land.