15 



in demand by the extension of the cultivation of fruit and vege- 

 tables and " market-garden farming " generally. 



Alongside the influences affecting demand, and more than Reduced 

 keeping pace with them, has been the increasing desire of the ?JP* ly of 

 labourers to leave the land. Most of the reports allude to this im- 

 pulse, and the varying explanations offered for its existence are 

 interesting. An absolute disinclination for work on the land 

 on any terms is frequently noted as a characteristic of the 

 labouring class, particularly of the younger generation, and 

 complaints that the methods of education in the rural ele- 

 mentary schools foster this distaste are made in many of the 

 reports. But while simple restlessness or mere rebellion 

 against the conditions of their environment may induce the 

 more active-minded youth of the countryside to seek fortune 

 elsewhere, it is admitted generally that the higher wages and 

 superior social advantages afforded by employment in other in- 

 dustries and the attractions of town life lead, in very many 

 cases, to a deliberate and calculated abandonment of rural 

 labour. Some correspondents allude to the fact that the 

 higher wages of the towns do not necessarily imply an 

 improved financial position, as the additional expense of 

 living more than counterbalances the additional income. This 

 is no doubt true, but it does not materially affect the position 

 so long as the men are actually attracted by the pros- 

 pect of " handling more money." 



Among specific causes of discontent, a deficiency of adequate Cottages, 

 or satisfactory housing accommodation is reported from about 

 30 counties. The details where given may be referred to, but 

 speaking generally, there is evidence not only or perhaps it 

 should be said not so much of an actual scarcity of cottages, 

 though this is mentioned in some cases, as of a lack of cot- 

 tages which satisfy the more exigent requirements of the 

 labourers in these times, or comply with the demands of 

 vigilant sanitary authorities. As with every other class, the 

 rural labourers' standard of comfort has been raised, and they 

 are not now contented with the a ocommod action which pre- 

 vious generations placidly accepted. The recognition of this 

 fact merely .states the problem without helping to its solution, 

 which, as several correspondents admit, is extremely difficult, 

 its initial difficulty being that rural cottages are not let at 

 commercial rents. As a part of the labourer's wages is, in 

 effect, now given in house rent, so the provision of more ex- 

 pensive and commodious cottages may be regarded as equivalent 

 to a rise of wages, at any rate from the employer's point of view. 



Many correspondents refer to the absence of an incentive Lack of 

 to remain on the land and of any reasonable prospect of incen tive. 

 advancement in life, and it is mentioned that in some districts, 

 particularly in Scotland, many of the best men have been 

 attracted to the Colonies*, where their energies may find wider 



