BRITAIN’S DEPRESSED AREAS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19634, 22 July 1935, Page 6

BRITAIN’S DEPRESSED AREAS.

The commissioner appointed in Britain to consider the depressed area problem has submitted his report, which is described as a “mixture of optimism and pessimism." All the same, it is evidently a comprehensive document and makes some ai-reac mg reeom mendatious, including increased pensions for the aged, land settlement, shorter working hours, etc.; further he suggests the opening of negotiations for large scale migration to the Empire countries. Britain’s depressed areas do not represent a problem of modem development. Before the depression some of her basic industries were experiencing difficulties tending to. create areas in which the prospects of finding employment for large sections of the inhabitants were persistently diminishing. By 1928, the problem had become sufficiently acute to ivarrant the appointment of the Industrial Tiansforence Board to exploit and develop the possibilities of securing profitable population for workers in other districts. Ike boards task was rendered extraordinarily difficult with the advent of depression, Avhicli made unemployment a serious problem not only in the depressed areas but generally.

The depressed areas are principally West Cumberland and Haltwhistle, Durham and Tyneside, South Wales and Monmouthshire, and certain areas of Scotland. One of the most serious problems encountered in the survey of the depressed areas has been the tendency for neAV factories to be established in the South of England instead of the North Avhere facilities already existed. It has been found that the modern factory is not attracted by the same conditions as were considered, advantageous a few years ago. In the case of light industries, proximity to the largest markets is considered more advantageous to-day than proximity to sources of fuel or heavy materials. For this the widespread provision of cheap power is to some extent responsible. With the decline in international trade, the attractiveness of certain of the depressed areas has declined, their former appeal having been the special advantages they offered to industries catering for overseas demand.

Tavo broad means for the elimination of the surplus employment in Britain’s depressed areas are the revival of international trade and the absorption of workers by migration to the Dominions. Neither of these things is controlled by Britain. International trade can only respond Avkcn there is international agreement to diminish those' things that imperil free trade, and the encouragement of policies that promote trade. .Migration offers no immediate prospect of solving the difficulties of Britain whatever may be' the case in the future. It is recognised that there are large tracts of land in Empire seas calling loudly for inhabitants; but none of them at present is anxious to receive immigrants, each being confronted with its own problem of unemployment, and countries which formerly received immigrants with open arms have now closed and barred their doors. ,

With improving trade prospects and the removal of trade barriers, restrictions on immigration may be removed, in which case migration may avcll prove a very important factor in the solution of Britain's depressed area problem.