heviev of Reviews, I/IIJUO. 



Qorrespondence. 



457 



tli<» principle of preference to Unionists, but would 

 strenuously advocate conciliation, and voluntary afi 

 contra.sted with compulsory arbitration for the settle- 

 ment, not only of labour but of civil disputes as well, 

 a.> has beiMi <lone in Scandinavia for many j'ears with 

 the mo.st pronounced success. 



CHRISTIAN SOCIAL WOHK IX BRISBANE. 



A " Friend of Reform " writes: — 



A notic'eable attempt is now being made in Bris- 

 bane to give practical shape to those humanitarian 

 impulse.? which have become one of the most palpable 

 fruits of the Christian spirit to-day. The Rev. Loyal 

 L. Wirt, B.D.. the present pastor of the old Wharf- 

 <1 reet Congregational Church, where the Rev. E. 

 Griffitii. father of the Chief Justice of the Common- 

 wealth (Sir S. W. Griffith), ministered for many.vears, 

 has stinted a project which; if it is fully carried out, 

 will be a splendid illustration of the service which 

 this modern application of Christianity can render 

 to the social condition of the people. A large build- 

 ing, erectetl some years ago as a tobacco factory, and 

 worked under the name of " Dixon's Factory," until 

 the uniform tariff on tobacco adopted by the Fe<leral 

 Government led to its closure, and now standing un- 

 occupied near one of the most populous quarters of 

 the city, arrested JMr. AVirt's attention, and suggests 

 ed the idea that it might be transformed into an 

 institute of .social service, similar to those which 

 liave been established in a number of cities in America 

 and England. Acting under this impression, he wrote 

 to Mr. W. K. Shaw, of the British-Au.stralian To- 

 bacco Co. Ltd.. Sydney, to which lirm the buildinj; be- 

 longed, and laid before him a scheme showing how it 

 could be fitted up and made into a centre of social 

 activity and recreation for the toilers of the city, re- 

 minding tile company that the closing of the factory 

 had tended to increase the pressure of arduous cir- 

 cumstances upon many of the workpeople, and re- 

 questing that permission should be granted for it to 

 be utilised for their social benefit. The response 

 made to Mr. Wirt's letter was most generous. The 

 company were willing that the building should be 

 used as an institute of social service for five years at 

 a peppercorn rate, if n responsible committee, free 

 from .sectarian bias, should be appointed to manage 

 it ; and the company might also further help by send- 

 ing a donation towards the expenses when tlie insti- 

 tute was estabii.shetl. 



Mr. Wirt at once called a meeting of prominent 

 citizens. It was held in the Municipal Council Cham- 

 ber, the Mayor in the chair. The company's letter 

 and the propo-cd scheme were laid before it. and Mr 

 Wirt's action and proposal were enthusiastically en- 

 dorsed, those present re.solving themselves into a 

 working committee, and adopting the preliminary 

 steps necessary to carry out the project. It is in- 

 tended to make the institute a pleasant place of very 

 comprehensive social work and enjoyment. On the 

 ground floor there will be a free creche, where, under 

 (he care of two or three nurses, the women who go 

 nut to daywork can leave their infants: and also a 

 kindergarten will be provided for the older children : 

 nnd there will be bathrooms and other conveniences 

 •rected there. .Above in the upper .stories there will 

 he bovs' club rooms, and resting and retiring rooms, 

 furnished with couches, tables and mirrors for th€ 

 shop girls and other female employees, where in their 

 meal hours they will be able to find a time of en- 

 jovable ea5e and refreshment : also a gymnasium for 

 both sexes, a billiard and other rooms supplied with 

 chesK. draughts, and other games : a free library and 

 reading room : a concert hall, where lectures, musi- 

 cal, dramatic, and other entertainments can be given : 



and on the roof of the building, which was construct- 

 ed level, and with a barricade around it, for the pur- 

 pose of drving the tobacco leaf, paths and garden 

 seats and bowery recesses are to be provided, so as 

 to form a charming place of retreat and promenade 

 ground in the cool evenings for the weary workers 

 and their friends. The whole will be a fine nucleus 

 or recreative life and rational enjoyment, and it will 

 doubtless be no small boon to hundreds in Brisbane. 

 Those whose social limitations are irksome, who have 

 little h<mie comfort or culture, and few opportuni- 

 ties of pleasure, may here find a temporary elysium. 

 It will be educational to many, widening their hori- 

 zon, giving them a broader view of the possibilit;ies 

 of life, showing them that existence is something 

 more than anxious grinding labour or coar.se de- 

 moralising gratifications, and leading them to make 

 the glad discovery that they can make their lives 

 worth living. 



Of course, much will depend upon the wisdom of 

 the management. It will need to be firm and busi- 

 nesslike. Sound commercial principles can alone give 

 the institute stability, and there mu.st be a strong 

 controlling hand over all its various operations. The 

 rowdy eleiiient often appears in free public in.stitu- 

 tious. and gives trouble. Humanity has some awk- 

 ward sides." But the people generally may be trusted 

 to aid in controlling that which ministers to their 

 own interests or pleasures, and they will probably be 

 the best helpers of the managers. The institute is 

 to be worked upon a humanitarian basis. The 

 churches are not to be openly represented in the man- 

 agement. It is to be a citizens' enterori-^e. but the 

 main burden of its initiation and ultimate success 

 will rest upon the Christian section of the community. 

 Amiable worldliness never really sacrifices much for 

 tile people's good. The strength of all ohilanthropic 

 movements is in the Christ-spirit. It is estimated 

 that it will cost about £lfinn to fully equip the fac- 

 torv fo:- the purposes of the institute, but there will 

 be little difficulty in raising this small sum. and if it 

 is wisely conducted the working expeli.ses will not be 

 lieavy. Mr. Wirt's happy thought is worthy of all 

 sympathy and assistance. 



A REFORM PROGRAMME. 



George Phimmer (X..S.W.) writes: — 



Sir, -In reply to your enquiry for whole-hearted 

 help in improving the conditions under which 

 iiunianitv is at present struggling for light. I beg to 

 submit the following contribution : — 



Land value taxation on unimproved land values. 

 t\ot the conihined value of land and improvenipnts. 



Land value taxation will cheapen land, to the 

 benefit of all users, if applied uniformly, without ex- 

 emption, and sufficiently heavy. 



It should replace and abolish stamp duties, vexa- 

 tious licensee fees, royalties, postage on newspapers, 

 and eventually all postages. 



It should cheapen railway rates, and eventually 

 supersede them. 



It should prevent land of cri>fKl repute standina 

 idle, and diminish segregation by filling up vacan 

 cies. 



It should liehtom cost of transit, bv furnishinf 

 tnde and customers in continuous stream. 



Tt should diminish cost of all caterinc for th« 

 Iiuhlic. 



It would cheapen economic rent, but rai.se rent- 

 value of improvements. 



It woukl rai.se wages and interest, while cheapen- 

 ing foo<l. 



