HOUSING FOR WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 November 1946, Page 4

HOUSING FOR WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS

Minister's Reply To Farmers? Representations ! « ^ ' ; "It seems to me that tho Go.verhmeht is inissing the oppor trinity of capitab ising on the co-operation offered by the farmers themselves," said Mr.- L.- I. Plininief, secretary of the Manawatu provincial executive of Fed'erated Farmers at a meetiug in Palmers t'on North yesterday when commenting on a iniiiiat'erial reply to representations for the impleihentation of a.rural housing schemo for country workera. At its last meeting' the executive approVed a remit from the Levin branch suggesting.that the Government should crect houses for farm workers in selected rural centres where farmers in the vicinity had guarantced work for the men., It was claimed that such- a scheme would encoiirage workers to: go out into the country, and that the men ahd their families would have many Of the advantages of city workers. It was mentioned that three such houses Were in the course of construction at Sanson. In his reply, the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. B. Boberts) stated that he • was particularly interested in the suggestion, and was at present arranging a ' preliminary survey to be unde'rtakeii in the Ashburton district to seeure data oii the pfactical application of the idea. It wonld.be realised, he said, that there were many practieal difficulties which WOuld vary from district to district and local- cont'ror of the programine of work fot the workers was not the least important. At present he felt that such a- scheme would not work efiieiently linless it had the full support of 'co'unty couneils, and that .also was the opiiiion of the Minister of Housing. ' /It was pointed out by members 'that the. scheme of Federated Farmers would not involve county couneils. ■ "The' Governinent builds houses in the city. for workers; why cannot .it buiid houses in rural towns for farm workers 1 ' ' asked the .ehairman (Mr. H. J. ' McLeavey). They were pleased to see" that the Minister was interested in tite scheme, but felt that the reference to county, couneils was unneceSsary. ' It was decided to reply to the. Minister aceordingly.