Rise of Slums Due to Wrong Outlook

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 11

Rise of Slums Due to Wrong Outlook

ADELAIDE.—As slums go in crowded Old World cities, Adelaide may be said not to have any, but there are spots that even the Lord Mayor, Sir Jonathan Cain, admits need clearing up. The City Council is giving attention to this reform, but the view of the Lord Mayor is that lack of education is at the root of the problem. Sir Jonathan said that while fine and unobstrusive work is being done by many persons and by organisations and welfare societies, these efforts are not always appreciated by those benefited. In this opinion, the only really effective force in slum clearance would be a gradual process of education to show unfortunate people that better w'ays of living are possible for them.

More is demanded, according to Sir Jonathan, than merely building neat modern homes, welcome as that reform is, but the doctrine of social improvement should be preached from every pulpit until it becomes the watchword by which the citizens are actuated. In discussing slum conditions there is a dispposition, Sir Jonathan said, to indulge in glib generalities, but the time is now long overdue for constructive ideas, and tho first step, he holds, is educational activity directed in such a manuer as to change the social outlook of those whose lot had been cast in unpleasant places.

Too Risky In a couuty court a Jewish counsel met his match in a witness of his own persuasion. The case concerned a suit of clothes. The counsel argued that his client was entitled to three months in which to pay his bill. “Now, sir," said counsel to the witness, “had I ordered the clothes instead of my client, would you have summoned me to court?” “Veil, no," was the reply. “And why not, pray?" “Veil, because, you see, I should have wanted cash down from you." <S> <s> <$ <s> “Did you hear the terrible news from the golf course? MacTavish lost his golf ball the day before yesterday." “What’s so terrible about a golf ball being lost?” “MacTavish is lost with it."