The Ideal State 309 



" method of reason " is already in operation at the 

 Hague, and will increase in power and influence as we 

 secure the gradual attainment of the poet's dream — 

 " the Parliament of Man — the Federation of the 

 World." 



Until we reach the stage of the abolition of the gold 

 standard we must secure as rapidly as possible a uni- 

 versal minimum wage for the heads of all households, 

 men and women alike, so that no one in the land shall 

 be without every necessary comfort, ample leisure, and 

 the means of culture, in return for work done in any 

 capacity for the benefit of the State. 



Every household must have sufficient room for each 

 unit, so that an abundant supply of fresh air and the 

 means of privacy and decency are brought within the 

 reach of everyone. The housing must be on thoroughly 

 sanitary lines, with ample supplies of hot and cold 

 water, of light and heating. 



Garden cities must be planned for all congregations 

 of people so that there can be no congestion of air, or 

 space, or other conditions tending towards insanitation 

 or disease. 



Preventive medicine must eventually become the 

 chief thought of the governmental machine, with a 

 Ministry of Medicine, in all probability held by the 

 Prime Minister as the chief officer of State. A State 

 Medical Service will be a vital necessity, and will, before 

 long, extinguish the absurd methods of private practice. 

 At the present moment the poor are not, except in 

 hospitals, efficiently and scientifically attended. Under 

 the present system it is impossible. This will be 

 totally altered under a State Medical Service. The 

 medical man will benefit materially. At present he is 

 either underwrought and underpaid, or he is over- 

 wrought and — it maybe — overpaid. Very often he is 

 both underpaid and overwrought. It is unfortunately 



