16 MARCH 1934, Page 6

a a . a " My mother had eleven children.

I have one, and don't intend to have any more." So said the anonymous working woman in her widely-discussed broadcast talk of last Monday. I thought of this statement when on the following day I learned some facts about a village school in a district that I happen to know well in the Home Counties. It serves four or five hamlets, each within an easy walk for all but the smallest youngsters. Until a few years ago the school was filled and, as the neighbourhood is steadily, though not quickly, growing, a gradually increasing demand for places appeared certain. Yet the Education Authority is now seriously considering the closing of the school altogether. Why ? Simply because the village workmen and farm labourers are, no longer having children.