The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-07-10
Rural League of England
Trying to Increase COun-
try Incomes
VILLAGE CRAFTS
ARE ENCOURAGED
Hope to Develop Much Latent Talent
and Increase Love Of Country Life
Leather Work, Toy Making and Bas-
ket Work Desired


LONDON, July 10-There is always
a time for the country people, i'll the au
work is almost at standstill. Then it
is that the country is apt to seem dull
and uninteresting and the town holds
out its many advantages 1t is with a
view to employing the spare time of ru-
raj workers and adding to their income
that the Rural League, of which the
Right Hon. Jesse Ceilings, NJ. P, is
president, has devoted much interest to
the development of rural industries
Most people who have ever been to the
Black Forest have come back with
carved birds and animals, and in
Switzerland and Norway the village in
dustries are fertile source of income
There is q great deal of latent talent
up and down the English countryside
and in spite of the difficulty of buying
material, the organization of village in
dustries has gone on apace, even dur
ing the years of war.
SO good has the technical improve
ment been that the goods have been
sold III over go shops. Leather work,
wooden and stuffed toys. basket work
and many other crafts can be pursued
10 the great benefit of the wives and
children of agriculturists, and of dis
abled men in the villages. The sim
plest tools only are necessary, and when
an industry is decided upon, trial is
made with one. or sometimes two work
~,
duced equal to the copy sent by the cen
trail committee. an order is given for
number of the same thing Other
/ workers are attracted. and so the in
dustrv takes root and grows. So far
the distribution and sale of goods has
been undertaken by the central commit
tee. but it requires no great stretch OF
imagination to see how many side is
sues would spring up, when once an in
| dustry had become established, such as
packing. crate making, and so on.
The training in manual work given
| ip the, elementary. schools should be a
preparation for such village crafts as
| the Rural League has encouraged Its
| efforts have been more than justified
| some branches and individuals making
| goods to the value of nearly 5000 in {
wear. Export orders have been sent Il
| South Africa, America, and Australia
| and in no less than 40 counties workers
have been busy. under the auspices OF
the league.
Such progress indicates that village
| industries are not only desirable, the,
are easily organized if started under
wise provisions. They will prove to bC
very important part of reconstruc
i tive work in the rural districts. ant
/ while it is the aim Of the Rural Leaou,
| to augment the family income it is ais,
/ demonstrating how to keep people hap
| by on the land. The industries may b,
4 domestic or they may be carried on il
4 little inexpensive workrooms. and tn
workers may give part or whole time
according as their occupations permit.
Indirectly the stimulation of sucl
home crafts viii assist in stemming tn
tide Of people to the towns, and. witt
the support of the Rural League, man,
local industries NAV possibly revive
| During the war, on three separate oc
casons. the energies of the league wer
diverted at the request of the govern
ment, in order to undertake work o
national Importance, so that if. in ex
ccptional circumstances, village indus
tries could hold their own. it is certai
that. given greater opportunities an
more financial backing much could b
accomplished.
With the growth of the co-operativ
| idea the Improvement and economy 0
| transport, and the linking IN of vi
| lagos the rural industries will flourisl
| and it is to be hoped that the Rurs
/ League will continue its invaluabl
| work, which includes many branchc
! Its primary object is to restore agr
culture to the position to which it
entitled. as the foremost industry in fl
kingdom. and to this end it has. durin
its 81 wears of achievement, consistent
supported all that improves the soci;
condition of the rural population.
DEATH OF HENRY F. HILL.