This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... Amity in the United States, says that such Farm Settlements can easily be made financially successful, and that the State ought to provide the money for the initial expenditure. It would be a good investment for the country. It would largely solve the problem of unemployment, and in bringing the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... Amity in the United States, says that such Farm Settlements can easily be made financially successful, and that the State ought to provide the money for the initial expenditure. It would be a good investment for the country. It would largely solve the problem of unemployment, and in bringing the people back to the land, would relieve the congestion of our overcrowded cities, and cure many of the evils of modern civilisation. In the matter of Labour Colonies Holland led the way. The oldest in existence are the Dutch, founded in 1818 by General van den Bosch. The best are Frederiksoord, the "free Colony," and Veenhuizen, the State Colony. Belgium followed with Wortel and Merxplas, the latter the largest Colony in existence, having 5000 inmates, guarded by soldiers with loaded muskets. It is really a prison or penal settlement. Germany tackled the problem with characteristic thoroughness, and has now thirty-two Colonies. The moving spirit has been the celebrated Pastor von Bodelswingh. Perhaps the best is Wilhelmsdorf, where the writer spent a delightful day and was greatly impressed with all he saw. The Farm Colony has demonstrated its utility in Germany. It has cleared the streets of loafers, wastrels, and inebriates; rescued many who were sinking into the social abyss and into the ranks of the unemployable. Its success is undoubted, and it has won a secure place for itself in the social economy of the Fatherland. We do not say it is faultless, but the faultless institution, social or religious, has never yet been seen on earth. I France and Switzerland have also made a beginning with small Colonies. In England there are three Colonies--Hadleigh, belonging to the Salvation Army; Lingfield, belonging to the Christian Union of...
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