COMMUNAL LIFE IN PARAGUAY.

Mt Benger Mail, Volume 17, Issue 850, 22 August 1896, Page 3

COMMUNAL LIFE IN PARAGUAY.

COSME COLONY. Two years ago Mr W. Lane, with about sixty others, withdrew from the New Australia settlement and formed another about seventy miles distant. They had less than £1 per*capita in cash, had to buy their land, clear it, make homes, and get their food supply. They have succeeded in spite of all drawbacks, have added to their number already, and have many who will join them at an early date. They have cultivated a large area, built a substantial bridge over a river, also barn, etc. The settlement has been proclaimed a colony, with power to elect its own magistrate, is granted an allowance monthly for postmaster and lettercarrier, and will secure a grant from the Government to cover the cost of land bought. In addition, the Government have agreed to frank all who join in future free from Monte Video or Buenos Ayres to Cosme, the name of the settlement.

The following extracts, taken from a letter of one of the colonists (dated March 20), give some idea of how communism is regarded there: — After being here nearly three months I find that my first impressions have not only been confirmed but deepened. The plainest thing wiitten on the face of this colony is success. It has succeeded far beyond my expectations. I'll tell you one reason why one feels Cosme has succeeded as a commune, and that is that in living the joint communal life oue feels at homo in it as Boon as one has had time to see half a dozen people face to face. One doesn't seem to need more than a day to be used to it. . . .

The Ascuncion Ttesa write of us in a manner that (all right in Spanish) being done into literal English is 9o laudatory that it makes one smile, for one would think the world had never before beheld such paragons of virtue and industry. Coming up the river one hears continually of the "brave little colony" that made such a stand, and in spite of everything has established itself as a solid and living fact. Of course, I don't think a start under such conditions could have been made anywhere -hut in this country, where the warm climate made poor phelter and poor clothing endurable, and the rich soil and copious rainfall made production rapid and sure. . . . We are happy ; we have but one regret, and that is for the folks in Australia, who do not know the freedom from anxiety ami trouble that wc know—the good fellows whom we wish were with us, instead of wasting their lives in a vain attempt to live their lives. Here we, as individuals, never think of to-morrow ; over there you never forget it, and it spoils your appetites. I thought always, after I knew of it, that the communal life was the right one; now I have no hesitation in pay ing I havo lived it and have proved it. It is the natural life, it is the freest life. ... In conclusion let me say I am satisfied of the justice and the possibility of communism. lam satisfied with my own lot, I am contented, and I feel I have learned more since I came hero than I had ever hoped to learn in Australia ; learned that thiugs I thought might bo can be, and have proved their justice and righteousness.