The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-06-22 00:00:00

EDUCATION, DRAINAGE, AND THE
LIQUOR TRADE IN SWEDEN.
In conn etion with the above subject the Pall Mall Gazette
writes:— . . .

-
In our remarks on the condition of the industrial
classes in Sweden we observed that that country has
solved three problems which still trouble no sorely.
Education is compulsory and gratuitous. Every child
from seven years old must be sent, either to a primary
gratuitous school, or to a private certificated school,
and there be kept for six or seven years. or until he or
she has acquired a competent knowledge of reading,
writing. arithmetic, the catechism, the history and
geography of their own country, the rudiments of
natural history. general history and geography.
This applies to the primary schools, but there
are, likewise, higher grammar, technical, and in-
dustrial schools, no that in these respect i the
working classes are far better and more generally in-
structed than our own. It is probably as much owing
to good teaching as to natural capacity that the
Swedish mechanic beam such a high character for
skill, solidity of work, and careful construction. For
the first time we find it stated that though English
artisans are employed and work a shade more quickly,
! their workmanship does not differ from that turned
I out by the natives. What we understand by trade
uniims have only recently been formed, and to a
limited extent, but co-operative societies and " associ-
ations for production are very common.
In Stockholm and Gothenberg the rite of mortality
is respectively 26 and 21 per 1,000, which is remarkably
low, but then drainage, according to our ideas, is there
unknown. The hard rock on which Stockholm stands
made the cutting of sewers so costly that the idea was
given up, and the authorities now congratulate them-
selves on the result. All refuse is taken away within
a few hours, and is immediately converted into excellent
agricultural manure. The staff of scavengers is oomplete
and efficient, and no cesspools or accumulations of
decomp 'sing matter are tolerated for a moment. Thus
the rivers are kept fresh and free of pollution, the
supply of drinking water is abundant and excellisnt,
while noxious smells are naturally very rare. In
j Gothenberg a system of underground drainage for
I superficial water has been well executed, some of the
i low and marshy land in the environs has been artificially
I drained, and dressed with the dries manure alluded to
mixed with lime, and is now in a high state of cultiva-
tion.
I The liquor trade is regulated as follows :—The two
I beverages in use in Sweds n are made in the country—
brandy and beer. But while pubii Anuses for the ...ale
or consumption of beer are well inspected and nume-
rous, the brandy shops for consumption on the pre-
mises are greatly restricted, pay a heavy licence
duty, and are under very strict regulations. A
permissive Act exists by whieh a parish or town can
either entirely prohibit the licensing of brandy shops in
its environs or iimittheir number. No in andy is allowed
to be sold on credit or to persons who are intoxi-
cated or are under adult age. The revenue acerm
ing, from the tax on the retail trade and the licences is
divided between the parishand the country. In Gothen-
berg a no iety formed for the promotion of sobriety has
farmed the brandy shops in the city and suburbs with
excellent effect. They are in fact transformed into
respectable eating-houses most carefully provided and
looked after by the society. In consequer.m of these
and other regulations, payment is: wages on Friday
night, &c., the decrease of drunkenness in Sweden
within the last six years has been remarkable, and
there has been a visible progress in the moral and
social condition of the people.