THE HOUSING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 55, 29 November 1918, Page 4

THE HOUSING PROBLEM

ERECTION OF WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The question oi' housing in Wellington lins Inlely been much before the public oyo in consequence of the epidemic dis-j closing a rather unsatisfactory condition of things in parts of the city. Letters luivo appeared in the Press urging that something be done to cope with the problem, and that the municipal authorities should be given power to deal with it. It might bo mentioned that all local bodies, including tlio Wellington City Council, .have had power since 1913 to make provision for workers' dwellings. They may buy lauds and build houses and let or sell the dwellings, or they may advance money to workers to provide dwellings. The difficulty in the way appears to bo that the local bodies must raise a special loan for the purpose, presumably on the voto of the ratepayers. The Mayor of Wellington recently called attention to that fact. A Dominion, representative yesterday sought information from Mr. F. W. Rowley (Superintendent of AVorke'rs' Dwellings) as to how the Labour Department is dealing with the matter. It appears that tho Department has under the Workers' Dwellings Act erected sonic 650 dwellings throughout New Zealand to date. Of this number 115 are in Wellington and suburbs. The Department has not been able to erect a large number of dwellings since the war began, on account of tho high cost of materials and labour. In tho year 1914-15 (which was really tho last year before prices greatly increased) it erected IG2 dwellings over New Zealand. The figures for the. following years were:—For 1915-1(1, S2 dwellings; for 1916-17, 65; for 1917-18, 2'J. It is anticipated by-the Department (Mr. Rowley stated) that it will proceed with a considerable number of dwellings In Wellington and elsewhere as soon as the cost of building becomes more nearly normal. ' Tho suggestion that tlie Government should erect houses, either directly or in co-partnership with municipalities, to 'meet the situation created by the great dearth of houses in the large cities, was mado to the Prime Minister in tho House by the member for Eden (Mr. C. ,T. Parr). Mr. Massey's reply was that the matter was now under the consideration of the Government. He reminded the honourable' member that arrangements had already been made by which returning soldiers might take advantage of the Workers' Dwellings Act.