With the devastation and death toll of the Great War and the flu pandemic in everyone’s thoughts, what were the hopes for the future expressed by nations and citizens in 1925? Some of them perhaps not so different from 2025.
World Peace came in as the top priority. The League of Nations was founded on 10 January 1920 after the Paris Peace Conference with the ending of The First World War. Talks took place across Orkney about the purpose and hopes for future world peace with the League of Nations. The League’s work also took in the control of drug trafficking and disease control.
Teachers were warning of the growing influence of listening to Wireless Programmes on the young as a ‘menace to education.’ It was blamed for young scholars spending less time on their studies but also the noise of it meant that there was no quiet in the home for studying. It was suggested that those in the household wishing to listen to the wireless should use earphones so as not to disturb youngsters doing homework.
In Germany, as a result of shortages in coal production, wind and water power were being suggested as an alternative source of energy. German engineers were conducting extensive research on these sources of energy. A rotor-ship was being developed. Wind generated local energy plants were being put in place in rural districts. This used a four winged propeller as the wind turbine. A device could also alter the wind turbine according to the wind speed. “Some even attempt it in suburban back gardens, and this new improved plant suggests that the cost of electric lighting and power may be so reduced as to bring this agency into general use for farms and villages and small rural industries.” – The Orkney Herald 7 Jan 1925.
Farming was worried about a new Act in the UK – The Safeguarding of Industries. New fiscal policies it was thought would not help the British farmer where two thirds of imported meat came from countries outside of The Commonwealth – or as they were referred to in 1925 – the Dominions.
A new fish shop was opened in the Ayre Road , Kirkwall by William Kelday. The shop was kitted out with all the most modern appliances: electric lighting, enamelled white fittings, marble slabs, and sprayers. It was said that there was a ‘great need’ for more fish shops.
Tax concessions came for some householders and shops in the abolition of House Duty. Another allowance came in the form of an Income Tax deduction of £60 (raised from £45) for those who had children to care for. It was extended from ‘only when the housekeeper was in charge of the children’ to include a ‘widower or widow who has a woman or girl, either taking charge of children or acting as housekeeper’. Tax inspectors were pursuing those who spend the greater part of the year abroad and claim exemption from Income Tax.
In 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed which allowed women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification to vote. Although 8.5 million women met this criteria, it was only about two-thirds of the total population of women in the UK. Women’s rights were still being actively campaigned for. Helena Normanton, the first woman Barrister in England, became the first woman, although she was married, to have her passport granted to her in her maiden name.
It was not until the Equal Franchise Act of 1928 that women over 21 were able to vote and women finally achieved the same voting rights as men. This act increased the number of women eligible to vote to 15 million.
The rise in wool prices it was thought would lead to clothes becoming dearer.
Emigration continued apace with people being actively encouraged to leave and settle in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Those with trades and farming communities, like Orkney, were particularly targeted for emigration.
Fiona Grahame