RURAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 5 



tion, the average level of prosperity in Ireland is probably greater 

 today than ever in its history, notwithstanding its depleted popula- 

 tion. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of a large proportion of the 

 productive workers of Great Britain from peaceful industries during 

 the past three years, the volume of exports from that country appears 

 to have greatly increased during that period.* Conservation of life, 

 so far as it implies the development of the qualities of efficiency and 

 of the capacity to make the best economic use of the resources on the 

 part of the people, counts most largely in increasing production. 

 There was a period in the history of England when improved methods 

 alone resulted in enormously developing natural resources. Accord- 

 ing to the census of 1851, the intelligence and capital devoted to the 

 improvement of landed estates and farm stock, the formation of 

 agricultural societies, the adoption of new processes, the drainage of 

 marshes, the introduction of machinery, etc., and the impulse given 

 to agricultural science in the middle of the 19th century, caused a great 

 increase in production and population. 



Whether such improvements are a cause or an effect of increase 

 in population the country benefits, but when an increase takes place 

 without improvements and without proper development and organ- 

 ization, the increase may be injurious. Even on the basis of its 

 present population, if Canada could retain its natural increase and 

 properly safeguard the health of its citizens, and if it could develop 

 its educational system and keep at home those whom it educated, 

 it would soon enormously increase in wealth. 



But do we, as a nation, pay sufficient regard to the value of pro- 

 moting healthy living conditions, developing skill and conserving our 

 educational resources? Are the rural and urban conditions of Canada 

 such as to provide the most ample protection possible of the most 

 valuable asset of the country — healthy and active human life? In 

 face of the fact that labour is so limited in proportion to the natural 

 resources at its command, is the organization of labour and of the 

 means of production, capable of improvement? Is the system of 

 planning and developing land, and of utilizing science and expert 

 knowledge, such as to secure the greatest industrial efficiency, and 

 the fullest opportunity for obtaining healthy conditions, amenity, and 



* With millions of men called to the colours, British exports in 1916 were 

 valued at 507 millions, as compared with 525 millions in 1913, the List full year of 

 peace. It is true that values have risen enormously and that the figures of 1916 

 do not represent anything like the same quantity of goods. But the new figures 

 do not include the huge quantities of supplies sent wherever the British army is 

 fighting. On the balance we have probably produced more goods than in the last 

 year of peace. — Westminster Gazette, Jan'y 8, 1917. 



