THE HOME AND THE CHILD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 41, 25 March 1914, Page 4

THE HOME AND THE CHILD.

STATE-BUILT DWELLINGS. "People are now waking up to the fact that the home life is what most matters, and as the child of to-day is the citizen of to-morrow, it is absolutely essential to train .him from the beginning in the right direction." This is what Mrs John Seaddan, wife of the Premier of West Australia, who, by the way, is the youngest Premier in the Empire, being only 27 years of age, said in the eourse of an interview in Sydney the other day. "Politics," she continued, "have practically no interest for me. I consider it is sufficient that the head of the family is a politician. When my husband, who is always my first consideration, comes home, he has had enough of politics and wants relaxation from them. '

"Any time I can spare from my , home and children," she went on, "is devoted to philanthropic and charitable work, and to social life. Possibly I give the least attention of all to the latter, but that is probably because I have very little domestic help, and with a young family—my baby is only 15 months old —there are numerous household duties to perform. "I have no day 'at home,' in fact, do not approve of that method of entertaining, but my friends are welcome to call at any time during on washing day—usually regarded by the,housewife as a day of domestic wrath, on which visitors would be looked at askance. Our house is fitted with the latest labour-saving appliances, and most of the food, even to the butter, is home-made. "We are particularly happy in our own home, and*it is the aim of the Government my husband represents to make the homes of the masses bright and happy also, and with this end in view the State builds comfortable dwellings for them, which they may eventually own by paying weekly instal-

ments equal to rent. For example, a brick cottage, costing £550, containing four rooms, kitchen, bath-room, lobby, pantry, verandahs back and front, detached washhouse and all conveniences 1 may be acquired by paying either a weekly rental of £2 8/2 for five years, £1 16/3.for seven years,-£1 7/1 for 10 years, £1 0/2 for 15 years, 17/- for 2]o years, 14/B for 25 years, or 13/9 fof 30 years. Similar dwellings may also be had for £3OO or £4OO, payable by instalments according to their value. ' "Should the tenants of such homes, which are only available to those whose incomes do not exceed £4OO per annum, wish at any time to leave the houses, they may sub-let or Bell them to the board. There is also a protective clause: in the Workers' Homes Act, to the «ffect that if a tenant becomes insolvent his home cannot be taken from him.. Civil Servants and others with small incomes, besides manual labourers, avail themselves of this means of securing a comfortable and convenient home, which is the first link in the chain of happiness.

'' The next care is for the child within the home, and at the present time £3OO-000 per year is being spent in the ■ West on his education alone. Provision is also made for children who have lost their fathers, or have the misfortune t$ possess worthless ones. These little: unfortunate's*'are not taken from their : mothers (unless, of course, the mother happens to be an unfit person to rear them) but a subsidy,of 7/- or 8/- a week is allowed her for each «hild under' 14 years of age. "Orphans are also well eared for, being accommodated in homes —not in- ; :stitutions—presided over by certificated matrons and nurses. These homes are' visited bi-weekly by women inspectors, who not only examine them fr?T*i roof to ceiling, but also inspect the little inmates from head to foot, and should everything not be satisfactory, those in charge promptly get their conge. "State children, too, are sometimes put into private families with people who are particularly fond of children,

I and they are just as vigilantly watched over as those in the homes. "It is not so mueh about these childre'h that I am. concerned," continued Mrs Scaddan, "but it is the welfare of those of the upper classes that give the most cause for anxiety. Only think of the bad example set them by mothers who devote most of their time —as some certainly do —to attending functions, bridge-playing, and cigarette-smoking. t Suppose, for instance, I should smoke, how could I say to my little daughter when she was grown up that she must. not acquire the habit, for example is. the greatest force- of all for good or evil, and we parents fiave a tremendous responsibility. "The children of society people are often handed over to the care of nurses, enjoying practically none of the sweets of parental love, and-as they see little •of their parents, they are virtually missing that greatest of all blessings—true home life. -And without thatfoundation their future happiness cannot very well be assured, for it is undoubtedly the bringing up of a child during ' the first years that affects his whole after life, forhas it not been truly said, IGive me a ■child "until his seventh year," then -j da - may do with him as you will.' There--fore I think it is the duty of every woman individually not only to make her own home the brightest spot on earth to her, family, but also to do what she can towards raising the tone of the homes of the people, and giving the children a chance to, grow up useful citizens.''