VIENNA.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 50, 23 February 1912, Page 2

VIENNA.

"Vienna," says a writer in tlio "Illustrated London News," of December 9, "is practically a great eo-opera-t-ivo society, a fact which makes rcsidcucp in it as economical as it is agreeable and convenient. . . It is generally agreed by the foreigner that it is cheaper to live in Vienna than in any other of tho world's chief cities." \VhyP .Because the people own and control everything used by all. Vienna had its municipal tram service—one of the finest in the world—its municipal electricity, ga3, water, and firo brigade, long before our socalled advanced cities, but it has not been content with these. Vienna has also municipalised its savings banks, its insurance societies, its breweries, its provision supply .Storage, its markets-—in short, everything that can bo counted a monopoly fcas been municipalised. Its scavenging *nd public health services : are the finest in the world; it owns hotels and pleasure resorts, bands and fair grounds; and thus it is little wonder rre are told that a civic deputation from London "found in Vienna a revelation; the perfect place of their imagination, their dream-city realised."

Further, we'are told that Vienna owes its advantages, "above all things, to its municipal administration, which has grown to lie a model for all concerned in such vital things." Round the city is a municipal "girdle of meadow and forest," within easy •©cess of all, thus ensuring a plentiful •upply of fresh air and healthy recreation the year through. In conclusion, we quote the eulogy «f a capitalist writer on co-operativo Vienna. He says: "Its drinking water tomes from the Alps; its air has tonic qualities of its own; sunlight is lavished upon the Viennese prodigally ; and jn matters of hygiene it takes the highest rank."