HOMES FOR WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 161, 2 April 1919, Page 8

HOMES FOR WORKERS

THE QUESTION OP DESIGNS. Mr,--Tho greatest interest is being aroused all over'tho country in tho Town Planning Conference and Exhibition, and people are expecting great tilings from it,, so that it is very disappointing to id the conditions that have been laia down for the housing competition. In. describing tho conditions for the workers lioines, it says:— , . "lu this competition it is desired to express in detail the competitor s idea of what those homes should be. It, 1S desired to evolve an original conception in which the health and comfort of the worker aro secured with the least possible expenditure. Thousands of designs are to lie seen in various books and journals, but these generally are not suitable for our conditions iii New Zealand- We want to strike out on new lines. There must be no waste space in passages or '"• formed rooms. Booms must lie kept to n minimum size and vet made convenient by the possibility of placing all tho furniture in proper positions, there must be a covered cpen-air room ns a playing space for the children, or as lounge. The usual narrow verandah is of no. value, and only serves to shut out the sun from tho looms facing upon it. Por convenience and easy working must be included modern methods of lighting, heating, cooking, and careful consideration given to tho use cf new materials. "Tho competition will be for three classes, as follow:— (a) Bedroom, living-room, kitchenette, lounge, bathroom, and lavatory. (I)) TWo Ircdrooms, living-room, kitchenette, lounge, bathroom, and lavatory. (c) Three bedrooms, living-room, kitchenette, lounge, bathroom, and lavatory." The first part of the conditions seem very promising,' but eur high hopes are dashed to the ground when we come to the last part, of the rooms to be provided. It has been proved time and again both in England and New Zealand that the workers must have more than- ono living-room; the kitchen is- usually considered as one. ami a scullery is given -where most of the work can be done; but in these conditions there is only a kitchenette, which presumably has to act as a laundry, too, as there is no mention, of a wash-house, so that it would be of no use as a living-room. The lounge, of course, in line weather would act as another living-room, but does, not give what is so much needed, a private sitting-room. In England tliey 'nave appointed a Women's Housing Sub-Cmuunttee of the Ministry of Beconstruction's Advisory Council, of which Lady Enimott ischavrwoman. In an article the Queen . mentions the points emphasised by the various associations of working women in regard as to ivhat they consider necessary in their houses:— (1 Thev ask for living room, scullery, and parlour, the first to be used -for what its name implies, a room in which to have meals, to be a nursery for the children, and the place to rest in when the day's work is done; the scullery to he the' workshop of Ihe house, where most of the eookins;, washing, mid other work is clone. For this reason there is a growing feeling that the range should be in the scullery, heating water, etc., and an open urate in the iiviwr room. The third room is needed for other children who have lessons to do, for the man- who may be a secretary of a society and requiring a quiet room in which to interview members or do other work, and, equally important, to serve ns a meeting place for young people .and their friends, and thus minimise the dangers of the, street bei'i" the only available meeting -round. In case of sickness the parlour may. usefully bo turned iuto an extra bedroom. » . (2) Three bedrooms, two ot wJncli (should be lar.ge enough to take two single beds, if possible standing out into the room to help in cleaning and for sanitarv reasons. (3) A bath, whether up or down stairs, in a separate room, and with- hot and cold water laid on. ' (4)'--Reasonable -number of cupboards and fittings and windows, which are arranged so as to clean easily and give plenty of light thrmwlnnt the house. The Conference of the labour Housing Association, held at Derby on August 31, adopted the resolution of the Standing Joint Committee of Industrial Women's Organisations setting forth the minimum .requirements for houses in the new housing schemes, The resolution -recommend-ed-cottages rather, than flats; each house to contain three bedrooms, a separate 'bathroom, with, a lifted basin and hot and cold water laid on; a living room, a parlour, a kitchen-scullery, and a larder. Surely-the-workers in Now Zealand are not to'have less comfort than those in England? There has been ono competi-' tion in New Zealand tl at was a failure, the workers completely turning down the winning design; it is to be hoped that the powers that be may see. their way to alter these conditions so that this one, which might bo productive of so much good, is not foredoomed. If the conditions were on broad lines, such as a house for two, three, or five persons, there should be a possibility of getting good, original designs. Also, it is to be desired that two or three women who can understand plans be among the adjudicators.—l am, etc., COMMON SENSE.