Although the historical side has received special attention, the more practical considerations have not been overlooked and in this connection I have drawn upon the experience gained during more than twenty years local government service and a lecturer, up and down the country, to various educational and other organizations. My thanks are due to the several gentlemen referred to in the text and also to Mr. R. A. Macdonald, M.A., who, during Professor Gonner's absence on war service, was in charge of the Department of Economics in this University, Professor J. Shield Nicholson, of the University of Edinburgh, Dr. G. S. Veitch, M.A., in charge of the Department of Modern History, Professor P. M. Roxby, B.A., and Dr. G. W. Coopland, M.A., all of the University of Liverpool. The various officials of the Liverpool Corporation, who were former colleagues of mine, have afforded me much information relative to the operations of the Liverpool Housing Committee; whilst Mr. John H. Barlow, Manager of the Bournville Village Trust, Mr. Alex. Paul, Manager of the Editorial and Social Department at Port Sunlight and Mr. E. W. Mundy, B.A., of the Co-partnership Association have read the sections relating to their respective spheres. Miss B. Marjorie Peacock, of the Wallasey Public Library, has kindly prepared the Index. Dr. John Sampson, Librarian of the University of Liverpool, and my friend Mr. E. A. Bryant, have verified the Bibliography, and the reader will appreciate the value of General Kyffin-Taylor's Introduction which incidentally affords additional evidence of the service which he has rendered, and is still rendering, towards the solution of this problem. No expression of indebtedness would be complete without placing upon record my deep sense of obligation to my friend and fellow student, Mr. James E. Pratt, A.C.I.S., for the self-sacrificing labours which have marked the progress of this work. Alike in the preparation of the MS. for the press, in the reading of the proofs, and in making valuable suggestions for improvement, his patience and industry have been inexhaustible. THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL. 19th December, 1919. JOHN J. CLARKE. IS THERE A SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM ? WHAT IS A SUITABLE HOUSING POLICY? "WHILE the housing of the working classes has always been a question of the greatest social importance, never has it been so important as now. It is not too much to say that an adequate solution of the housing question is the foundation of all social progress. Health and housing are indissolubly connected. If this country is to be the country which we desire to see it become, a great offensive must be undertaken against disease and crime, and the first point at which the attack must be delivered is the unhealthy, ugly, overcrowded house in the mean street, which we all of us know too well. "If a healthy race is to be reared, it can be reared only in healthy homes; if infant mortality is to be reduced and tuberculosis to be stamped out, the first essential is the improvement of housing conditions; if drink and crime are to be successfully combated, decent, sanitary houses must be provided. If "unrest " is to be converted into contentment, the provision of good houses may prove one of the most potent agents in that conversion." "The (Extract from the King's Speech to Representatives of the Local Authorities and Societies at Buckingham Palace. Times," 12th April, 1919.) xviii |