WORKERS' HOMES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 156, 27 March 1919, Page 6

WORKERS' HOMES

HARBOUR BOARD'S POSITION. In discussing the subject of workers' homes at the meeting of the Harbour Board last evening the chairman (Mr, C. E. Danicll) explained that a provision had been inserted in a late Bill giving the board certain powcw, but on submitting the same to their solicitor the clause was found to be impracticable. The power was given them to erect homes under the- Local Bodies Powers Act, an Act the board did, not work under, as they had no rating powers. Mr. J. G. Cobbe: The Government gave the power in such a way that it tied the hoard up so that it could pot do it. If they intended to hinder the, setae it u-fls a poor sort of camouflage. Mr. C. B. Norwood suggested that the board might lutve been to blame in not having, drafted its own Bill. It was explained that, as the powers smisht were not for the AVellington Ha.rbou'r Board alone, but for harbour hoard* generally, the Bill must be a Government one aiul »ot drafted, in tlio mnnner of « local Bill.

Mr. Dnniell did not think tho fiovornment was at fault, but probably the draftsman was under a misapprehension, ns the hoard had no rating powers to finance the pronoffd homrs for workers. Mr. B. A. Wripphr, M.P., wished to know whp.t was l«\ing done. AVas any new Bill being prepared fo>- the c-oniin" session β-f Baxiiairmnt? He favwvnvl drnwir.-? Un a local Bill, not lnin-lins •B'l'it'jiho nther boards intended to do. Mr. rV)Wi»: Ifl Parliament to w<^? Mr. ■'Vncrht: Y~i, of course, if is!

Mr. fbhV: Will it wirrivn a writ? Mr. AVrWit: V»s. T w't undwlfi'Hi vrlj.»t the Won. Mr. Bumpll means bv vliat he lw lip»n sn.yin.r, a"'l no on" eW does tr-.ifc I In™ met. PaHinmnil■"•Hl m<"-t-; Vntrn will Wa wwn, nr» l tliero rill bo " ""neral election until f;lio end cf the year!