GARDEN CITIES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11142, 31 December 1903, Page 5

GARDEN CITIES.

For a. long time past the physical degeneration which has been going on among' the large towns and cities of Great Britain lias been engaging public attention, especially in view of the startling i'act that, in- one great industrial centre, out of ll'.OOd recruits who presented themselves for tho Army, 8000 fell short of the physical standard; Teduced although this has been of late yeats. The whole question.' is 'discussed in the Monthly Review by Mr Ralph Neville,* KiC, and it isgratifying to be assured that practical steps are already being- taken to counteract this .degeneration, at any rate in some '^degree. Its main causes are to be found ip the 'gradual transformation of the great mass- of :th& English people from a race ■ of. agriculturists' 'id a Tace of artisans, a .change -which, is taking place in a con,/timutlly ..increasing 1 ratio. ., Bnt.,this, while it - may sharpen the intelligence •of those tSjbilghout the great manufacturingcentres,from the country districts, stunts . and Venleebles jthem physically. Tlie air thcyY Breathe is impure, " the homes they occupy and the habits- they acquire are unhealthy,' and a . marked deterioration fetlces place in bodily stature and stamina, j The only- method of remedying the evil is to enable the artisans- to share with the I agriculturist the advantages of country j life; and, for this purpose,- the Garden . - City Association, ■ with a capital of J575;000, has been formed, and is already actively at work. It has by way of commencement, a site - of • 4000 sores 30. miles from .London, upon which the first city will be built, and will provide cheaper land,, greater room for eslension, lotrer rahes, gas and water at reduced * prices; and "the -application of the natural increment to local improvements, ■while the dividends to shareholders will be limited to & pcr J cent. The- modern applications of .electric power to machinery for manufacturing .purposes will, of course, facilitate the work., of the association in its industrial! objects. # I