INTERESTING LECTURE

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4492, 16 May 1935, Page 2

INTERESTING LECTURE

“MODERN ENGLAND AS I SAW IT." A very interesting lecture was delivered in the Methodist schoolroom on Tuesday evening before a fair audience, hv the Rev. C. W. Brown, on the subject of “Modern England as I saw it." Mr J. K. Hornblow occupied the chah' and the proceedings opened with the singing of “Rule Britannia.” Mr Brown lias recently returned from a visit to England after an absence of many years from his native land, and he snent much of his time in visiting various parts of England, particularly the great industrial centres and enquiring into industrial, social and economic conditions. A great change had taken place during the past 20 years, said the speaker. England was experiencing a involution by evolution. He referred to the improved physical appearance of women in comparison with the men —the latter denying themselves to provide proper sustenance for the women and children. The war had caused a great gap in the physically fit. There was also a large proportion of unmarried women as a result of war losses. He did not see a child, however, without shoes or stockings. Slum areas had disappeared as had the work houses. Children, particularly the subnormal, were fed and educated at the expense of the State. The National Insurance Scheme provided for medical treatment, payment for the unemployed and old: age pensions and the unfit were made fit. He dealt interestingly with the improved highways which were dustless and sealed throughout the land. He referred at length to the industrial situation, particularly as it affected the coal industry. He said the industrial position was much better in the south of England than in the north and stated reasons for this. In many ways the Dominion had much to learn from the advances made to promote the welfare of the people in England. His investigations had convinced him that the exchange imposed by New Zealand had not been an economic benefit to the people at Home. He also referred to the religious situation and the evolution taking place in this connection.

At the conclusion, the speaker, was accorded a vote of thanks by Mr P. J. Mairs, who expressed the wish that the speaker would repeat the address at a later date. A vote of flanks to the chairman and the singing of the National Anthem concluded a very interesting and instructive evening.