CROWDER SYDNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1920, Page 3

CROWDER SYDNEY

SLUM AREAS ANI) BLOCKS OF FLATS, SYDNEY, Jan. 13

The recent increase in the tramway and train fares serve to direct attention to the terribly overcrowded condition of this city. Except in the distant suburbs, a. suitable habitation, whether flat or dwelling-house, can he found only as the result- of a long and arduous search. The organisation of the city’s transpart system is distinguished by that stu. pidity and lack of foresight characteristic of tile administration of public affairs in this State. In most big cities'—Melbourne is an example—there is a flat-rate over the tram system. One may go two blocks, or two miles, and the charge is the same, generally 2d or 3d. The flat, five-ecnt. rate is a wellknown transport feature of American cities. But in Sydney, the charge mounts up in proportion to the distance travelled. A man living half a mile out pays ltd; if he lives two or three miles out lie may pay 4d or more. The result is a frightful crowding into the middle, of the city, and plenty of room in the more distant suburbs. Tin* crowding into the city takes two forms foully horrible slums, where whole families live in one room, and huge blocks of self contained• flats, which particularly distinguish the close-in suhurhu like, Darlinghurst, Kirribilli, and MaeMahou’s Point. These flats comprise, generally a. kitchen, bathroom, diningroom, and one or two bedrooms, and they let at from two to three guineas unfurnished, and ifront three to four gui noas furnished, and tin* demand ior them far exceeds the supply. Except in the few buildings which have gardens and big balconies, they represent a most crowded, undesirable condition of life, particularly for children, yet rapidly increasing thousands of this city’s population live in this way. Neither the huge slums nor the flat life are necessary; they ari> being, literally forced upon the city by inconceivably stupid and unscientific meihods of transput t and of civic administration.

There are signs, however, of ay agitation for complete reform of the system, so that it mav become possible for the poorer people to live far out. One newspaper writer even suggests that the whole scale of charges he twisted round— that the one section man shall pay the maximum, and the five or six siection traveller the minimum, and the idea is not as mad as it seems at first glance .