THE DRIFT TO THE CITIES.
FROM RURAL DISTRICTS. (By lfelejrarli.—Ptosj Assooiaaon.) Auckland, February 5. Some interesting figures w£re quoted at the Y.M.C.A. Convention this morning which would seem to show ; -that, notwithstanding all the attempts to settle people on the land, tho drjft of population is still towards the cities. ' .'i Mr. Hall, of Christchurch, had earlier jn tho Convention introduced the subject of the advisability of extending the Y.M.C.A. work in country , districts, urging that tho radius should be Within 30: to 40 miles, of tho.' centres.' The matter was referred to a sectiinal conference of tho Convention which' sat this morning,_ and a • report was submitted for .the information of members. Tho report stated that, in the census ended 1901, tho rural population of New Zealand was 54 per cent., and' the city 45 percent., whereas, in;tke census for tho period ending 1911, the percentage was reversed, the rural population being 49 per cent., against a city percentage of 50. It was pointed out that the attractions of tho towns' drew the young men away from country life. To counteract this it was suggested that the work of the Y.M.C.A- should bo extended to country -districts. Mr. Peacock (Aiistyjalia) said that, they all wanted educating to touch this great problem of rural work. He urged members of tho Convention to get literature upon the question so as to understand tho position. A city expert in Y.M.C.A. work might prove' useless in rural districts. The Young Men's Christian Association was not bricks and mortar, and when it undertook rural work, it required expert knowledge to go to tho country and discover the latent talent existing thoro and organise it to work. _ The Convention adopted tho resolution affirming that the drift from country -to town was duo to the greater social attraction, and tlio comparative value of opportunities of, obtaining employment. The conforenco also affirmed that it is desirablo that ,the work of tho Y.M.C.A. be ; extended to the rural districts. It was further decided to re: commend tlio National ■ Committee to appoint an export to visit country districts and report.
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1977, 6 February 1914, Page 8
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351THE DRIFT TO THE CITIES. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1977, 6 February 1914, Page 8
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