HOUSING OF WORKERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 13

HOUSING OF WORKERS.

ARCHITECTS AND THE PROBLEM

The housing of workers was a subject referred to by Mr C. Lawrence, retiring president, in the course of his address to the New Zealand Institute of Architects at Wellington on Thursday. Ho said the question is one in which architects are deeply concerned, and added: —"We know only too well that the conditions usder which a large number of the workers live are dcplorablo, and it has seemed almost hopeless under the complicated conditions and restrictions which have in the past surrounded the problem that any amelioration could be looked for. Impossible laws, unnecessary and vexatious local by-laws, combined with the economic aspect, have brought about suburbs of clingy and squalid streets and mean and depressing houses and surroundings, demoralising their inhabitants, and conducing to/ inefficiency. Happily it is now recognised that this problem must be faced in some satisfactory manner. Many serious problems will arise in laying out the land for, and preparations of, the designs for such houses. Not only is it essential that the houses should be healthy, comfortable, sufficiently segregated, pleasant to look at oxternally, convenient internally, and as varied in design as possible, but account must bo taken of the most rigid economy and the shortage of many building lines once thought essential. We believe that for such a scheme it will bo in the best interests of the public, as well jjs ourselves, that competent architects should ,be employed, and that, within reason, they should have a free hand, not only in the design of ihe houses, but in the general lay-out and 'town-planning' of the area to bo dealt with. It would be well that this Institute took steps to appoint a committer to lay before the Commission to inquire into the cause of the recent epidemic, the views of the Institute on this matter, and bv every means to impress on the members of the Commission and the controlling authorities the necessity for the employment of men skilled in work of this nature."