PROFESSIONAL INCOMES

Evening Star, Issue 18668, 24 June 1924, Page 1

PROFESSIONAL INCOMES

‘There lias boon, a good deal of comment on the simultaneous heavy decline in the numbers enicring many of the bestknown professions, says the ‘ Daily Chronicle.’ The medical profession, which admitted 3.500 newcomers in 1919. admitted only 545 in 1923. The Church of England, winch loses about 700 clergy a year through death or retirement, lias only averaged 237 ordinations for each of the past six years. The (durational profession shows a serious decline in many branches. And other cases might be cited where tho tendency is as clear, though equally precise figures may not be available. Why is it, 7 Not because suitably educated young people arc lacking; cm the contrary, the supply of them in this country is far greater than ever before. The public and secondary schools were never so full. ‘The real reason appears to fie (fiat the professions are now underpaid. The burdens o! taxation and high prices fail on their member? with peculiar weight. Compared with the wages of workmen on the one haaid, and the profits of business on the other, their incomes have not advanced at all in proportion. The son, who witnesses his father’s unmerited penury, lias no inducement, to follow his footsteps. The decline is a most serious thing for the future of tho nation; for our physical, mental, and spiritual health depends essentially on the services of these professional men. It is quite time that public, notice was taken of il. and wavs were explored for restoring the attractions of professional carecia.