第 62 节
作者:
知恩报恩 更新:2021-02-20 16:17 字数:9322
income of #30;000 which is about three and a…quarter per cent。 on the balance of the million sterling; for which I ask as an earnest that the public intend to put its hand to this business with serious resolution; and our judgment is based; not on any mere imaginings; but upon the actual result of the experiments already made。 Still it must be remembered that so vast and desirable an end cannot be even practically contemplated without a proportionate financial outlay。 Supposing; however; by the subscription of this amount the undertaking is fairly set afloat。 The question may be asked; 〃What further funds will be required for its efficient maintenance?〃 This question we proceed to answer。 Let us look at the three Colonies apart; and then at some of the circumstances which apply to the whole。 To begin with; there is
THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THE CITY COLONY。
Here there will be; of course; a considerable outlay required for the purchasing and fitting up of property; the acquisition of machinery; furniture; tools; and the necessary plant for carrying forward all these varied operations。 These once acquired; no further outlay will be needed except for the necessary reparations。
The Homes for the Destitute will be nearly; if not quite; self…sustaining。 The Superior Homes for both Single and Married people will not only pay for themselves; but return some interest on the amount invested; which would be devoted to the futherance of other parts of the Scheme。
The Refuges for Fallen Girls would require considerable funds to keep them going。 But the public has never been slow to practically express its sympathy with this class of work。
The Criminal Homes and Prison Gate Operations would require continued help; but not a very great deal。 Then; the work in the Slums is somewhat expensive。 The eighty young women at present engaged in it cost on an average 12s。 per week each for personal maintenance; inclusive of clothes and other little matters; and there are expenses for Halls and some little relief which cannot in anyway be avoided; bringing our present annual Slum outlay to over #4;000。 But the poor people amongst whom they work notwithstanding their extreme poverty; are already contributing over #1;000 per annum towards this amount; which income will increase。 Still as by this Scheme we propose to add at once a hundred to the number already engaged; money will be required to keep th is department going。
The Inebriate Home; I calculate; will maintain itself。 All its inmates will have to engage in some kind of remunerative labour; and we calculate; in addition; upon receiving money with a considerable number of those availing themselves of its benefits。 But to practically assist the half…million slaves of the cup we must have money not only to launch out but to keep our operations going。
The Food Depots; once fitted up; pay their own working expenses。
The Emigration; Advice; and Inquiry Bureaux must maintain themselves or nearly so。 The Labour Shops; Anti…Sweating; and other similar operations will without question require money to make ends meet。 But on the whole; a very small sum of money; in proportion to the immense amount of work done; will enable us to accomplish a vast deal of good。
THE FARM COLONY FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW。
Let us now turn to the Farm Colony; and consider it from a monetary standpoint。 Here also a certain amount of money will have to be expended at the outset; some of the chief items of which will be the purchase of land; the erection of buildings; the supply of stock; and the production of first crops。 There is an abundance of land in the market; at the present time; at very low prices。 It is rather important for the initial experiment that an estate should be obtained not too far from London; with land suitable for immediate cultivation。 Such an estate would beyond question be expensive。 After a time; I have no doubt; we shall be able to deal with land of almost any quality (and that in almost any part of the country); in consequence of the superabundance of labour we shall possess。 There is no question if the scheme goes forward; but that estates will be required in connection with all our large towns and cities。 I am not without hope that a sufficient quantity of land will be given; or; in any way; sold to us on very favourable terms。
When acquired and stocked; it is calculated that this land; if cultivated by spade husbandry; will support at least two persons per acre。 The ordinary reckoning of those who have had experience with allotments gives five persons to three acres。 But; even supposing that this calculation is a little too sanguine; we can still reckon a farm of 500 acres supporting; without any outside assistance; say; 750 persons。 But; in this Scheme; we should have many advantages not possessed by the simple peasant; such as those resulting from combination; market gardening; and the other forms of cultivation already referred to; and thus we should want to place two or three times this number on that quantity of land。
By a combination of City and Town Colonies; there will be a market for at least a large portion of the products。 At the rate of our present consumption in the London Food Depots and Homes for the Destitute alone; at least 50 acres would be required for potatoes alone; and every additional Colonist would be an additional consumer。
There will be no rent to pay; as it is proposed to buy the land right out。 In the event of a great rush being made for the allotment's spoken of; further land might be rented; with option of purchase。
Of course; the continuous change of labourers would tell against the profitableness of the undertaking。 But this would be proportionally beneficial to the country; seeing that everyone who passes through the institution with credit makes one less in the helpless crowd。
The rent of Cottages and Allotments would constitute a small return; and at least pay interest on the money invested in them。
The labour spent upon the Colony would be constantly increasing its money value。 Cottages would be built; orchards planted; land enriched; factories run up; warehouses erected; while other improvements would be continually going forward。 All the labour and a large part of the material would be provided by the Colonists themselves。
It may be suggested that the worker would nave to be maintained during the progress of these erections and manufactures; the cost of which would in itself amount to a considerable sum。 Truer and for this the first outlay would be required。 But after this every cottage erected; every road made; in short every structure and improvement; would be a means of carrying forward the regenerating process; and in many cases it is expected will become a source of income。
As the Scheme progresses; it is not irrational to expect that Government; or some of the varied Local Authorities; will assist in the working out of a plan which; in so marked a manner; will relieve the rates and taxes or the country。
The salaries of Officers would be in keeping with those given in the Salvation Army; which are very low。
No wages would be paid to Colonists; as has been described; beyond pocket money and a trifle for extra service。
Although no permanent invalid would be knowingly taken into the Colonies; it is fair to assume that there will be a certain number; and also a considerable residuum of naturally indolent; half…witted people; incapable of improvement; left upon our hands。 Still; it is thought that with reformed habits; variety of employment; and careful oversight; such may be made to earn their own maintenance; at least; especially when it is borne in mind that unless they work; so far as they have ability; they cannot remain in the Colony。
If the Household Salvage Scheme which has been explained in Chapter II。 proves the success we anticipate; there can be no question that great financial assistance will be rendered by it to the entire scheme when once the whole thing has been brought into working order。
THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THE COLONY OVER…SEA。
Let us now turn to the Colony Over…Sea; and regard it also from the financial standpoint。 Here we must occupy ourselves chiefly with the preliminary outlay; as we could not for a moment contemplate having to find money to assist it when once fairly established。 The initial expense will; no doubt; be somewhat heavy; but not beyond a reasonable amount。
The land required would probably be given; whether we go to Africa; Canada; or elsewhere; anyway; it would be acquired on such easy terms as would be a near approach to a gift。
A considerable sum would certainly be necessary for effecting the first settlements。 There would be temporary buildings to erect; land to break up and crop; stock; farm implements; and furniture to purchase; and other similar expenses。 But this would not be undertaken on a large scale; as we should rely; to some extent; on the successive batches of Colonists more or less providing for themselves; and in this respect working out their own salvation。
The amount advanced for passages; outfit money; and settlement would be repaid by instalments by the Colonists; which would in turn serve to pay th