Federated Homes.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 210, 31 May 1902, Page 3

Federated Homes.

A VISIT TO “ WAINONI.” Two years ago, while on a visit to Christchurch, a friend took me to " Wainoni,” the l'’ederated Home inaugurated by Professor Bickerton, the well-known exponent of the “ partial impact ° theory. The Home is about six miles from Christchurch, and a mile off the Now Prighton line. It is very prettily situated amidst pine trees, which cover almost the whole of tho grounds. Those comprise 40 acres, which, with the lino residence, Professor Bickerton devoted to the cause when he determined to put his socialistic ideas into practical working form.

Alighting from the tram at a stile, we strike an asphalt track, which winds under the trees. This track is the work of the Federators and anyone who has walked over Hew Brighton sandhills will readily conceive that it is a vast improvement. It is really a pleasant walk, and at its termination shouts of laughter bespoke other pleasant places. Hero on the tennis court, made by the federators in the middle of a large dip in the ground, were numbers of the happy family, while others strolled along the drives or sac under the trees. The members of tho Home seemed happy enough ; now for their dwellings. The idea of federated homos is not a new one, of course, but ;s rather a 1- harking-back ” M nineteenth century people to prmuoval customs, sheering as clear as possible of the pitfalls which hampered both the new and the old. But Professor Bickerton’s idea is that very many who desire to co - operate in this manner would not be able to afford the cost of up-to-date dwellings, and has set about finding some substance which would to a great extent take the place of wood and iron. Tho material selected is known as “ carbo ” and is simply very thick wrapping paper tarred on both sides so as to render it stiff and waterproof. The mode of erecting a dwelling is simplicity itself—four corner posts and the necessary wall plates and rafters are further reinforced by a few laths, and over these the i; carbo ” is nailed in much the same way as corrugated iron would be used. Tho inside is tinted any desired color and the earthen floor is tramped smooth. Professor Bickerton himself says : —“ Of course we do not look on paper houses as anything more than a temporary means of getting out of tho power of the capitalist. Ho one except a min with enormous capital could start a federative home, unless it be with paper houses.”

N o went through the grounds and saw numbers of these houses. In one the manufacture of fireworks is earned on, unotlur (‘‘ The Chalet ”) is fitted up with a studio, and others were being got ready for dwellings, but I saw none in which the people actually lived. I hardly blamed them, for Ibufcssor Bickerton’s residence is a lino dwelling, well furnished and much more preferable to “ camping out.” However, I believe some “carbo” houses ate now occupied. In the summer I think they would make ideal residences as at present situated, but were they built in the open it would seem tome that they would constantly need to be put in repair, especially in places whore heavy winds prevailed. That, however, is not the point; we must deal with the principles involved and not seek to raise objections. As I was not more than a couple of hours at the home my knowledge of it is superficial, but a few notes .from information supplied by the Professor to an interviewer will give a very clear idea of the method j of •’ running ” the home.

i “ Our d nnestic r.ies are discharged ! on the principle ill it everybody should Ido whatever he or site likes best. No I one says to another 1 You must do I this,’ or even ‘You ought to do it.’ I There is no friction, yet everything is I done properly and well, the whole | system in the’house going on from day j to day with the utmost smoothness ' and regularity. The only thing apI preaching a regulation is a time-table of daily duties. In our domestic duties we have not only vindicated the ' principle upon which was founded, but have also, I believe, solved the problem of domestic helps, At the present time, the whole of the household work is carried on by the ‘ federatorsf We do not employ any servants whatever ; and I must say the_ work is done better and smoother than it was ever done before. Sometimes the ladies change from one thing to another, but as a rule th -y know well what they like and dislike, and settle down at once to some particular class of duties. When one of the ‘ fedorators ’ is ill or indisposed, there are plenty of volunteers to fill the position. The financial arrangements vary con- I siderably. Those who do merely the , little routine work that is divided I amongst all, generally pay lbs a week'. This is the maximum. We consider that this sum will pay for everything. There are about thirty • federators ’ at present. Of course, the more that come, the greater the profits. When the numbers increase there will bo a margin after paying rent and other expenses, and thou, besides dividing a part of the profits, a sinking fund will bo established for the benefit of the home. The gardens, the orchards, and the main buildings are common to all. Each family has its own rooms or cottage, but the drawing-room is therefor all visitors, and the social ball is always open to everybody. Ou.t Federated Home meets all our wants. If wo desire solitude, we have our own private cottages, apart from the others. If we want to study, there are special buildings for the purpose, as well as a library. If we are dull and dejected a social hall, with music, conversation and laughter, is at our disposal. If wo have hobbies, there is plenty of scope for them in all directions. If manual exercise is needed, it is supplied at the tennis court, the gymnasium, the garden, or the plantation, which abounds in pleasant glades and walks. Amongst ourselves we inculcate a spirit of cheerfulness, thoughtfulness and courtesy; and we discourage envy, hatred and malice and all uncharitableness. There is none of us who would go back to the old methods, all believing that this mode of living is the only true human life.”

In connection with the Federative Home, a house has been secured in tho city, where meals and beds may I)o obtained by those who are detained in Christchurch, and there is also “ a cottage by tho sea ”at .Sumner. Wainoni is connected with the telephone exchange and each cottage at the institution is, in turn, connected with Wainoni by a private wire. Tho meals at the Homo are partaken of in a large dining-room, quaint in its architecture and artistic in its surroundings, but no one at Wainoni is actually forbidden to cat in bis own cottage. Tho underlying principle, however, seems to bo tho same in each case, these public repasts having a tendency towards friendship and mutual benevolence.

There are, of course, very many difficulties to be surmounted in starting a Federative Home, but I believe Professor Bickerton’s idea of separate dwellings, with all other domestic and social arrangements in common, is the only solution of obvious difficulties. A lessoning of the domestic cares moans happiness for both sexes, and co-operation further moans increased comfort at a lower cost, because of the waste avoided, Every year sees this recognised and acted upon by thinking men and women, and each Horne means another step towards the improvement of the race. Individualism has been weighed and found want ing—altruism must take its place. c. A. WILSON.