RURAL EXODUS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 5

RURAL EXODUS

LACK OF OPPORTUNITY CHIEF INDUCEMENTS TO EMIGRANTS. By Tolcgn ph—Press Association —Copyright Times—Sydney '’Sun' - Special Cable*.) (Received December 19, 6.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 19. Tho report of migration from tho rural districts of England and Wales, prepared by tho Board of Agriculture at the request of tho Dominions Commission, states that agriculture is not an expanding industry. Tho area of farmed land steadily declines. Low wages aro not so much the cause of discontent, says the report, as lack of opportunity. The normal movement to tho towns is largely supplemented by emigration overseas. The freer life in the colonies, tho easier facilities to become a landowner, and the wider scope for energy and enterprise appear to ho the chief inducements to emigrants. LARGE AREAS OUT OF TILLAGE. DEFICIENCY OF UNSKILLED LABOUR. (Received December 20, 0.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 19. The Board of Agriculture report on rural depopulation states that since 1901 about 1,060,000 acres have passed out of tillage and 308,000 acres cut of cultivation. This is attributed to emigration to Canada and Australia, duo to tho activity of agents and advertising the allurements of colonial life. Low wages in rural districts are said to be amongst tho chief causes, but there is no evidence that emigration is greatest where tho wages are the least. The report adds that there is a general deficiency of skilled farm hands, and any sharpening of intelligence due to the improved literary education does not compensate for tho lack of technical training. Moreover, iv ; uals of agriculture are being neglected by those who still seek employment on tho land-