THE DEVASTATED HOMES OF FRANCE.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 8

THE DEVASTATED HOMES OF FRANCE.

IiECONSTItUCTINO THE VILLAGES,

Much is being said just at present about the reconstruction and reorganisation oi' tne devastated districts, yet iw one is perhaps displaying a inoro useful activity in this, direction than Mr. iiorain, Prefect ot tlio Sommo (writes tlie Paris correspondent of the "Christian (Science Monitor"). During the critical ana anxious hours of the tight for Amiens, Jlr.. juorain revealed a remark-,, üble- firmness of character, and he has now turned his energy and organising fjiialities to the great. task of assuring tnt reconstruction ot Picardy, which is under his administration, Aviiilst studying the best way ot setting to work, Mr.' Moram was struck by tna undeniable tact that, once the destroyed homes have been rebuilt, they will need to be refurnished, and he coiiceived the idea of urgaiusiiiit at Amiens an exhibition of simple furniture and of all the objects necessary for the temporary reconstruction of a home.

This idea was soon put into execution, and the Place Longueville lias been transformed ■ into a complete village in v.ood, each building of which—church, mairie, school, and fai'uihouses—can be taken to pieces, a fact which will assuredly greatly interest all the visitors. In the great hull of the iine old Museum ot Picardy concerts and fetes will bo held, whilst another large* room of the same building is now a Theatre des t.'abotins—the celebrated Punch and Judy show of Amiens—which is as renowned in Prance as the Quiguol of Lyons.

The organisers of this exhibition liavo been continually hampered by the transport crisis, still extremely "'severe in Prance. Nevertheless, an important number of large furnishing firms took part in this scheme, and each day Jlr. Alorain and his collaborators found now adherents.

This exhibition o.nly. comprises . the products of French firms, which were asked to exhibit objects characterised by usefulness, solidity, cheapness, and good taste. If they realised these conditions, the exhibitors were; almost assured ot doing an important business, for the Picardy peasants are for the most part well-to-do, and are quite willing to buy furniture, and also wooden houses, sheds, stables, and granaries, which will euable them to tide over the timo- until their former homes are rebuilt.

Tho exhibition ut Amiens. will doubtloss bo appreciated as much by the inhabitants >if tl\o towns as by tho peasants, for it will enable them tu aeauii'O, at comparatively low prices, all the objects they need tor the reconstruction of their homes, whilst unconsciously obeying a general artistic direction which-they would lack if loft to their own dovices.