LAND AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 236, 15 March 1915, Page 4

LAND AND LABOR.

NNO GIRLS FOR FARM WORK. VIEWS 05 SIR H. RIDEJt HAGGARD. By Cable —Press Association— Copyright. London, March 12. Sir 11. Uider Haggard, in a letter to The Times, says that if the cost of farm labor increases he will be obliged to dispose of his dairv farm. It is an economic question of the first importance. Englis'i women will not return to their old habit of farm work, except under the pressure of actual want. With few exceptions the wives and daughters of small holders help the men folk, and occasionally the wife of a better class far- . mer assists, but the daughters will not. Personally, he docs not favor the employment of women, except aa dairymaids and for tending poultry. The young women are secure in rural districts. Most can marry, and the rest go to towns, and the men follow, causing depopulation. The colonies desire women between 18 and 30 who are prepared to work till they are married, and young men reared on the land. The3e classes in Britaiu are almost exhausted. This is a grave ■menace to the Empire. We are trying to hold nearly a quarter of the cartn with about sixty million Anglo-Saxons. The task is as much as we can do. If our number shrinks it will be more iftan ( wo can do. ' "*

Sir H. Rider Haggard suggests an immediate competent investigation of th e whole land problem.