ABSTRACT
Among the more important factors which condition and resolve the sociology of the coloured community there is little doubt that the attitude of the outside world in terms of colour prejudice is the most significant. The historical implications of this point will already be clear, particularly in bringing about the segregation of the coloured folk in the dock area. The matter can be put quite concretely. Were a coloured family to obtain housing accommodation, either as tenants or as lodgers, in a residential quarter of the town, their presence would cause a lowering of assessments in the district concerned, and hence a depreciation in the value of surrounding property. 1 This point was put quite plainly to the writer in conversation with various Corporation officials, and it appears to be no less evident in other cities, such as Liverpool, and in parts of London. It denotes the existence of certain social attitudes which, from the point of view of a house-agent or property owner, are as real a factor and as much a danger to be guarded against as the possible incursion of shops or industry into a “desirable” neighbourhood. 1
