THE CHILD AND THE SLUMS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR, —Slum conditions are bad for everyone, but for small children they are ruinous. Their mothers, however good they may be, cannot create quiet and space and air for them if their homes are insanitary ; and they cannot give them rest and quiet, cleanliness and wholesome food in slum dwellings. Without these things in their early years children have no chance of good development ; and the result is that we have over a million children in the schools to-day who are suffering from preventable diseases.
These evil conditions prevail in all the cities, and they are as bad as they can be in South Wales. But it is possible to do something for them there. The Rhondda Council has offered to give land for an open-air nursery school, where the children under five can be given the healthy environment they need. It has also undertaken to maintain the school, but the money to build it is lacking. About £1,500 is needed. and I have got some of this ready for the purpose, but am now begging for the rest. If anyone will send me a contri- bution, whether it is large or small, I can promise that it will be quickly and economically used for the help of the small children of the Rhondda Valley.— I am, Sir, fie.,
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