THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY “ Public Service.” MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1944. THE COUNTRY LIFE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32406, 13 March 1944, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY “ Public Service.” MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1944. THE COUNTRY LIFE

In almost every primary producing country the Government and the farmers’ organisations have been perturbed at the constant drift of the young from the country to the town. Of recent years there has been some progress made in New Zealand in the direction of making life in rural areas more attractive. Reference to this desirable move was made by Professor G. S. Peren, of Massey College when he recently addressed members of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. When he was Minister of Public Works the late Mr Coates saw the need for giving those living in sparsely-settled districts the advantages of at least one amenity freely enjoyed in the towns and cities—electric power. Then, again, the present Minister of Works (Mr Semple) went a long way, under his roading policy, towards lightening the burden of the backblocks settler by giving him improved access. The activities of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Women’s Institutes, and similar bodies have also helped greatly the country women and in proin improving the social life of viding domestic help in the homes in times of greater need. All these things have played an important part in improving the lot of those who earn their livelihood in the most remote parts of New Zealand, but there still exists a need for providing greater encouragement for people to engage in the basic industries. They must be made to feel that by.following farming pursuits they and their families will sacrifice'fewer of the advantages which are so freely enjoyed in the centres of population. It is not enough to talk of the attractions of a country career; it must be made attractive in every way—socially as well as economically.