View report page

153
districts of the United Kingdom (London included) to British
Colonies and elsewhere; to examine the results of schemes that
have had a practical trial, and to report generally on the means
and conditions under which such emigration may be best carried
out, and the countries to which it should be directed, &c.
The Committee, in a report lately issued, state that they
have no grounds for thinking that the present condition of the
United Kingdom generally, calls for any general scheme of Stateorganized
colonization or emigration, and further express the
conclusions at which they have arrived, under twelve headings,
none of which practically touch our difficulty, so that we are no
further advanced by reason of this lengthy and painstaking
enquiry. That emigration would be a boon to those who may be
assisted to leave this overcrowded Metropolis goes without saying;
but it must be borne in mind that immigration might, and
probably would, neutralize the good effects anticipated from the
exodus. The estimated annual increase of the population of
London in the ten years, 1881-90 was 65,000. The annual
excess of births over deaths accounts for 52,000 only, the
remaining number, 13,000, being due to immigration, which
probably would increase in extent when it became known that
better prospects of work were being opened up by a Government
scheme of emigration.
CONFERENCE AT THE COUNTY HALL ON THE
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT.
The County Council have sole jurisdiction in respect of
Schemes dealing with unhealthy areas under Part 1 of the Act.
But under Part 2, the Sanitary Authorities have powers and
duties which necessarily bring them into relations with the
Central Authority. This being so, it seemed good to the
Council to invite the Vestries and the District Boards to appoint
representatives to meet the Housing of the Working Classes
Committee in Conference, to consider the Act. The particular