Science and Physical Development 



was signed by the " trade " representatives as well 

 as by the impartial panel, suggested many minor 

 but important reforms in the Licensing Laws, 

 several of which have not yet been carried out. 

 No little harm has been done by those temperance 

 reformers who agree in persistently refusing the 

 proffered "half-loaf," though they cannot agree 

 among themselves as to the form the whole one 

 should take. 



THE RURAL EXODUS 



There is no doubt that the effect of town life 

 in reducing physical efficiency is largely made up 

 for by the migration into towns of the best of the 

 rural population, which is consequently declining 

 in number, and perhaps also in quality. It is said 

 that there is a falling off in physique among 

 country people, but in the absence of an anthro- 

 pometric survey it is impossible to be certain of 

 this. It is agreed that a diminishing number of 

 people living on the land is a national evil, due 

 partly perhaps to the difficulty in some districts 

 of obtaining small holdings or allotments the 

 Small Holdings Act being almost a dead letter 

 partly to the insufficient supply of cottages in the 

 country ; and this deficiency has been lately in- 

 tensified in the districts within forty miles of 

 London, owing to all available cottages being 

 snapped up by motor-car owners and others who 

 desire to spend their week-ends out of town. The 

 recent interesting exhibition of cheap cottages at 

 Letchworth will do something to stimulate building, 



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