LIFE IN FLATS

Evening Star, Issue 22895, 1 March 1938, Page 3

LIFE IN FLATS

IS IT HEALTHY ? The man in the street is rapidly becoming- accustomed to the metamorphosis which is taking place in the suburbs, and philosophically shrugs his shoulders when notes the feverish activity with which Hats and still more Hats are being erected (writes Mrs Gertrude M. Zichy-Woinarski. secretary 01 the Melbourne Ladies’ Benevolent Society, in a Melbourne paper).

We arc in the hands of The Wrecker, and before long there will be only memories left of gracious homes and fragrant gardens, in which the beautiful song of birds has departed to

make way for the “ clang ” and “clatter” of the workman, as week after week some fresh two or threestoried apartment house rears' its triumphant head. 1 was asked recently, “ Will all the new flats solve the slum problem?” The question should have been rather. “ Will any of 'the new flats solve the slum problcriirl” Even at that, the answer is a decided negative. Strangely enough, inquiry among agents elicits the fact that there is never any lack of prospective tenants for these new flats, even though the approximate jumping-off rental is 30s, while that of the more luxurious ones soars .to amazing heights.

In these circumstances, even were our less fortunate brothers and sisters who live in the meaner streets given an opportunity of moving to better quarters, they would not find it easy to obtain these, in view of the waiting lists in the hands of the agents.

However, under present conditions, there is no hope in life of the working man ever attaining, on his present wage, the advantage of sufficient rooms of a decent size.

It has been adjudged by experts, who should know what they are talking about, that the yearly rental w hich a Working man should be called upon

to pay should be fixed as being onesixth of the total income, or perhaps an easy assessment would be to make it the amount of one day’s pay. It is usually accepted that there are three classes of people who must peiforce occupy low standard houses, these being in the least inviting areas of the industrial suburbs. The first class of workers are artisans and others (skilled), whose weekly payments may average anything from £4 10s to £6 10s.

Then there are the lower wage earners who may lor various reasons obtain an average of from £3 10s. Last, and most unfortunate, are those heart-breaking cases, the casually emploved, the men on sustenance, the unskilled labourer, and the unemployable.

Taking the first class, where can they ever better their living conditions, for at the present time they a.e : paying anything from £1 to 25s for second-rate accommodation; and it this is the case with this class, it is not a matter for wonder that a large proportion of the second and third class live in one room only, for which many lamilies pay 14s, 15s, or even more.

This, then, should dispose of any suggestion that flats can be used to solve the problem of finding for our hundreds of decent, hard-working, courageous citizens, homes in which they can find health and happiness. The subject of flats brings to ns another question: “Are they a healthy sign?” This is certainly a point upon which people agree to differ. An outstanding cause for rejoicing is the fact that “ building ” means “ work.” After the past years of depression and unemployment, it is a joy to know that men are happy at being once more “on the job,” and that money is circulating, and quite a lot of money, too!

* There is certainly a decided modern trend to get as near the city as possible. The advantages are easily enumerated: Nearness to places ot business (this last is by no means an inconsiderable factor); saving of train and, in some instances, tram fares; no rates or taxes; and no expense in keeping up-home or garden. In a service flat, there is the freedom from the domestic anxiety of preparing a dinner unless preferring to do so. Add to this garage accommodation, making it quite easy to leave the city tor the country during the week-end. The tenant is secure in the knowledge that a caretaker will ensure a watch being kept on the premises.

But in the judgment of many much is being lost which meant a great deal in the old ideals of family life.

Perhaps the most conspicuous feature is the very limited number of children. They are not popular in a flat. However perfectly behaved one’s own may be, the other, in the next flat, appears to be rather troublesome. There is no garden in which children can play in that beautiful seitusion which, in later life, remains a most precious memory of happy childhood days. Many facts are agreeable to the eye and placed in beautiful surroundings. These are communal. The fact that the “keeping up” of the garden is included in the payment of rental takes from man the desire to do some work in a plot of “ his very own.” The loss of this desire is, to my mind, a smn of' the ease with which we accept the avoidance of responsibility, md is to he regretted. The result ot the present-day craze for living in groups has yet to be seen. Human nature has a marvellous way of adjusting itself to changed circumstances, and it is possible that this is merely a question of, evolution. From iny point of view much of the joy and sweetness of home life has been “ scrapned.” On the other baud, there are many compensations to which we cannot be blind.

. “ Other days “ other ways.” To the question of “ Is the popularity of flat life a healthy sign?” I would add, “Is the present rush, bang, hurry, and clatter of life a healthy sign?” If so, then we must truly ho a marvellously virile race?”