DRIFT TO THE TOWNS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13298, 6 February 1914, Page 8

DRIFT TO THE TOWNS.

«»' Y.M.C.A. 'S EFFORTS IN RURAL DISTRICTS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Some interesting figures were quoted at the V.M.C.A.; convention thist morning, -which would seem to show that mot-withstanding 1 all -the attempts to settle people on the land, the drift of population is still towards, the cities. Mr Hall, of Christclrarch, earlier m the covivenlion introduced vhe subject of the. advisability of extending V.M.C.A. work m country districts, nrgiv.g that the radius should be within SO to 40 miles of the centres. The matter was leferred to a sectional conference of the convention, which sat this morning, and a report was submitted for the information of members. In the census ended 1911 the rural population nf New Z«vdl-uid \-as 54 pev font., t:nd tlv city 45 imv cent., whereas m thfi census for the period endirv: 19 1 ] f-iv percentage was reversed, rural bcii,., -3 per cent, as against city 50 per cent. It -.was .pointed out . that m many rural- districts nothing was beinu: done for the upliftincf- of manhood, morally and socially, v with- the. result that the attractions "of.,, the town drew tho young men away, from oojjntry life. To coun••r:.;'t. tiiis, it was suggested that the o 1: of.- -the, V.M.C.A. should be ex.1).,., d to country districts. It would, -(.nvcvtr. be ncceso.ry first to get re- . .iints from the ' national secretary or other y'spprts as -to the best means of extending the work. Tho matter was discussed at some length. Mr Peacocke (Australia) cautioned tlie convention that this was a liigkly expert business. They all wanted '^education to touch this crreat ■problem of rural work. He urged .members of the convention to get literature upon the question, so as to better understand the position! A city expert on V.M.C.A. work rivght 'prove "useless m rural districts. The Young Men's Christian Association, was not bricks and mortar when it undertook uural work. It reqnired expert knowledge to iro -to tho country, discover the latent talent existing there, and organise it to work. The convention adopted resolutions, jvtii rrning that the driftT.from country to town ,was due: to the greater social attraction and the comparative value of opportunities of obtaining employment, also. that it was desirable that tho work of the- V.M.C.A. be extended to rural districts. t It was al°"» decided to recommend ihf> national f-nmittee to appoint an exp r\ to vL-it country districts and report. '