1920.] 



Agricultural Housing. 



The lowest minimum rate fixed by the Agricultural Wages 

 Board is now 36s. 6d., and the highest 42 s. 6d., so that the 

 average must be above 375. 



The rise in the cost of Hving of rural workers was investigated 

 by a special Committee appointed by the Agricultural Wages 

 Board. Their conclusions were based mainly on the com- 

 parison of standard budgets and they explain that they cannot 

 be regarded as in any way final. Their view was that in 

 January, 1919, the cost of living had about doubled. 



Adopting a similar method the Sumner Committee, appointed 

 to inquire into the cost of living of the working classes generally, 

 adopted a somewhat lower figure for June, 191 8. 



Without attaching to these figures a scientific accuracy 

 which they do not claim, it may fairly be assumed that they 

 are very near the truth and that, in fact, the cost of hving of 

 rural workers has roughly doubled since the outbreak of war. 



During the same period rents have remained practically 

 unchanged. The average shown by the Agricultural Wages 

 Board Committee was 2s. id. in 1918, as compared with is. iid-, 

 in 1914. 



It appears to be difficult to resist the conclusion that the 

 ordinary agricultural labourer, after meeting the increased 

 cost of living, has more than the pre-war margin of cash to 

 spend on rent. This is, of course, not an argument against 

 the increase of wages that has taken place or against a further 

 increase. The intention of the Corn Production Act was to 

 give the labourer an increased standard of comfort. The first 

 addition to his comfort that he needs is better housing ; if the 

 rise in the rate of wages has enabled him to pay a higher rent 

 for a better house, it has achieved part of its purpose. It is 

 agreed that the only permanent solution of the agricultural 

 housing problem lies in the payment of an economic rent and 

 in such wages as will make that pa3TOent possible. 



4 M 2 



