ENGLAND TO-DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17409, 6 November 1930, Page 6

ENGLAND TO-DAY

CHANGED CONDITIONS - REV. J. AITKEN’S IMPRESSIONS Giving a very interesting account of his experiences in England during his recent trip abroad,' the Rev. James Aitken, M.A., last evening compared the conditions there to-day with those of 25 years ago, when he last visited the Old Country. In the course of a little more than a decade, the amount of traffic in London had increased tremendously, Air. Aitken said, and the regulations for Controlling the continuous streams of motor cars and trucks were marvellous. Quite the contrary to what he had seen in Paris, where traffic congestion at the busiest intersections rvas a great problem for tho authorities. Horse-drawn vehicles were practically unknown in modern London. For a long journey in England, travelling by train was preferable, although the roads were in splendid order. Turning to the agricultural side, Mr. Aitken stated that more grass lands were lieing cultivated in certain parts of England than previously,, grain and other cereals being almost neglected in many cases. This was due, ho explained, to the increased quantities of grain imported from other countries. Another thing that impressed Air. Aitken was the tremendous activity- in the building trade, but there were still a great number of unemployed. “England and Scotland have awafc-i ened to the. fact-.that something be done . to. eliminate the slum areas,”

continued the speaker; “with the result that people are living- under vastly improved conditions to-day to those of 20 years ago. • Already a great change has been brought about. The poorer children and adults are comfortably clothed, and the conditions generally are greatly improved. Playing fields, schools, and municipal homes have been provided for the children, making their lives happier and more cheerful.” Drunkenness had practically disappeared, Air. Aitken added. This was one of the most remarkable changes that had taken place, and, in his opinion, was probably due to the greater amount of interest taken in the theatre nowadays. There were things about the theatres and movies that might be improved, but they had' provided thoroughly enjoyable* entertainment- for the poorer classes, and there had been a considerable rise in the sentiment of the people in respect to drink. “Despite the present state of the country, things are showing sigms of improvement,” Air. Aitken stated, “and I do not think for a moment that the heart and courage Jias gone out of the Old Country.”