THE DRIFT TO THE TOWNS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 7

THE DRIFT TO THE TOWNS.

To the Editor. Sir, —I notice m the report of the Farmers' Union that that body is at last awakened to the seriousness of the drift of country population to the towns. Readers will no doubt rememher that I drew attention to the fact months ago by mentioning the fact that the sons of small and struggling farmers are forced to the towns through jthe present system of land ownership and also that their daughters likewise follow suit. The grandest asset this country has is ruined because of inability to get land. The Union gentlemen beat all round the main issue, and imagine all sorts of reasons why the '.rouble is happening and advance all sorts of suggestions to counteract it. I would not be surprised to learn that some of the gents own as many as three or four farms each, and still cry about lessened production on account of shortago of labor. There's an easy solution to that trouble. A lot of clatter is made at times as to patriotism, and if those who imagine they are patriotio and wish to act for the good of the country in a practical manner will take hold of the land question per medium of the doctrine of Henry George they will find that the population of the country would increase in a marvellous manner, while that of the towns would consist of but the necessary inhabitants to pass along the products of the country. There is no other solution to the tendency of drift to the towns than that advanced by the writer quoted, and the world's moist prominent thinkers have so recognised it that in many, countries the doctrine is gradually being put into practice. Lloyd George had prepared to stump England on the question when war broke out, but the matter is by no means lost sight of, and the present land ownership system of the Old Land is to receive in the near future a complete and drastio revision. If we in New Zealand desire our grand country to go ahead, if we desire our children to live healthy, happy and contented lives it is now we should be up and doing all possible to get a better condition of land ownership than has pbtained in tho past, and which is nothing but rank injustice to the growing generations. Look at the matter as you will, inaugurate temporary palliatives on our old selfish lines, and yet the same old thing eventuates, and in ponsequence country life does not give the inducement to men with families to get on the land, nor does it offer any attractions to those born in the country to stay there. Why? Mr. Astbury, in his remarks, touched upon a side issue that has a lot to do with the question, but it does not offer any solution. The remarks of the other gents do not appeal to those men with large families to leave the towns for the country. Education has opened the eyes of a very desirable class for the country to the fact that slaving at the milk pail all hours and all weathers and toiling at the plough is somewhat worse for all concerned (except the boss) than the work for a daily wage in the town, or whenever handy to such, yet th& same people would gladly get on to the land for their children's sake if they who did the work had the benefit of such. One gent believed if cottages were put on the farms for a man to take wife and children to it would ease the trouble to a great extent. What becomes of the workers' children? If present day farmers' children have to go to the towns how in the name of all that's good are the children of the cottager to be placed? It's no use, Mr. Reader; the question is this: Every human being born to this world has equal right to the means of subsistence which Nature has provided (air, water and earth), and until you take the land question in review on that basis troubles of the present will get sharper and sharper, and no man can foretell the result. No matter how you take the serious question of '"'drift to the towns" with the present basis, no matter how you wobble it, no matter how long you look at it from spectacles of your own making, you have to judge it from the view point of the future if yon desire this country and your children to prosper. If you are, as you no doubt claim, a patriot, you will agree with me that Henry George has the only true solution and a study of his work, "Progress and Poverty," should convince you Deny it if you will and the country stands still on the matter for a period, but your children's children will

claim its operation because of the real benefits to all. Why not lay the foundation now? It's not as we take, but as we give, Not as we pray, but as we live, These are the things that make for peace Both now anil after time shall cease. —I am, etc., JOE B. SIMPSON. | Durham M., 23rd May.