THE HOUSING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 184, 30 April 1919, Page 8

THE HOUSING PROBLEM

Sir,—Your correspondent • "Common Sense" remarks on my objection to making class distinctions, but I am glad lie admits there aro others of the. same opinion. , The Term "workers' homes" is apt to create ill-feeling. "Workers' homes" has a certain sound of inferiority 'which people <Jon't like, although it is a recognised term in England and America. I will give you an instance. I said to a carpenter: "Now, , there is a chance for you to get a house of your own." He said, sarcastically,' 1 "Oh, no, I do not want any of your workers' homeß.. I have saved, and got four cottages- of my own," I think it should be called sometiling like House Building Enterprise, which should be taken up by tlio Government or municipality, or both, or some insurance ' companies with their overplus cash, and so give everyone a chance to own their own house and land, whatever their occupation, whether employer or employee. The same to be carried out on business lines.

If "Common Sense" would read and study, my letter lie would eee that I take a great interest ill the housing problem. Ho would see that 1 intend tlia houses to have the maximum of health, comfort, and beauty, and not the minimum, as he proposes. I would try and raise the status of the so-called working man and- his surroundings. "Common Sense" must understand society is progressing, and people will not put up with the inconveniences they used to do fifty or a hundred years ago. He asks if X would not give up the imposing front hall for a porch. I could not think of such a thing. There is such a contrast. Ask the children whether tliey would play in a fine hall and verandah or in' a porch without either, back or front door. The hall wou.ld give the house a character, and any one entering it gots the impression that it ■is a fine liouse, which impression -is generally carried along with them.

I had just finished a house according to the' description in my letter when a gentleman and his wife, seeing the new house, came and looked in the front tioor, when she said, "Oh, what a flno house 1" which impression 6he carricd all along. All the room doors open from the hall but the washhouse and scullery, which open from the kitchen. 1

' "Common Sense'' would build wardrobes in the/house. He objects to have fireplaces in the bedrooms, and 6Couta the idea that they are any good for ventilation. Try a fire and see. "I have often heard people wishing they had a fireplace in a room where there was none, but I never heard anyone wishing one removed:out of a room. I would • have two double-chimneys along with the kitchen and copper, which chimney 3 would have recesses in each room for wardrobes and cupboards. With regard to dispensing with high-pressure boiler and piping, etc., which is ofton very unsatisratcory, for unless the kitcheu lire is kept up there is no hot ■, water, along with the caliphont or bath-heater mentioned in my letter I would have a side bcv>r in the kitchen range connected to a supply ball-tap cistern. The range would bo most used for cooking tho dinner, when there would be plenty of hot water for the 'dishes. • Breakfast and tea would bo done on the gas cooker.

. With regard to kitchen and scullery and vrashhousß being tho next in importance to the lmll, ask the guidwifo. of the house, who with her family do the work when she is l heating l ', the kettlo on the gas, toasting the bread and grilling a chop on the electric griller, and perhaps having oil their meals in a fine large kitchen. With regard to the cost of arches and chimneys, taking off poroh, building in wardrobes, 6aving with high- v pressure boiler piping, taps, etc., the net cost would not be JEIOO,' which at 6 per cent, would not bo 2s.\4d per week, which would be a •mere bagfitello when compared with the comfort. and pleasure. I have built five houses same description as my letter. Three are owned by men who work both by muscle and brain, and Ilwould have much pleasure in showing "Common Sense", over the same, when I think he would'alter his opinion. Re shortage of houses: The Government are to blame for paseirig legislation which would prevent any man building unless he wanted to lose liis money, and none eauld build except those who are called capitalists. But where does the ist begin ? ■ I heard a certain agitator denouncing the capitalists, as owing to them wealth was unevenly distributed, and he. with others, had not their fair share according/to their exertions. The sumo individual saved till lie got a house of his own. Then he got another. When some of-'his associates came to him . and said -Are'you not coming to help us?, (he had been falling off in his attendances)' he said, "No, I have done with that." He had apparently crossed the line—l am, etc., PRACTICAL.