Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 80, 15 September 1947, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the , right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters. THIS BOARDING BUSINESS Sir, —The latest body to come up against the desperate accommodation problem so evident in Whakatane is the local hospital board. It has been the experience of many workers who have been attracted to this centre to ‘turn in” their job because of the lack of accommodation. This represents a,loss, not only to the person involved, but to .the community as a whole, for only too often have the persons affected ' been skilled tradesmen vital to the standard of work or service turned out by their wouldbe employers. In some cases the person has been unable to even commence work after accepting a position.

Private homes are helping to alleviate the position to a certain extent as are the boarding houses of the town. Even then in many cases the rates charged—and received—are outrageous. This in itself is brought about by the acute shortage—by that portion of these boarders who are able to offer exorbitant rates out of all proportion to those within the capabilities of the less fortunate ones who receive a smaller wage. Whatever the causes and the practices arising from it the position needs to be overcome. It requires that all who are able should give a home to one of these persons for often it can make all the difference to someone starting out on a career. Another idea which could be considered is the establishing of a hostel—nothing “flash” for young people. This has been done in other centres and of those where one is not in existence Whakatane must be very nearly at the head of the list of those which badly require such an amenity. If the community is to receive the service it desires accommodation must be provided for those capable of doing the work. If steps are not taken towards this eifd the hope of encouraging persons to Whakatane will be a forlorn one even when conditions are back to . normal, which, going by present indications will be a long long time. Yours etc.,

“WAKE UP WHAKATANE.”