THE HOUSING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 221, 12 June 1919, Page 4

THE HOUSING PROBLEM

CORPORATION BUILDING SCHEME.. Speaking at the civic reception to Commissioner Howard yesterday tho Mayor said there were, unfortunately, symptoms in New Zealand of various kinds of social trouble. One difficulty was the housing of the people—a difficulty he noticed they wore sharing with the Old' Coun l try. It was recognised here, as there, that they must endeavour to promote a better and higher standard of home life. In England thero was one caso where, in 29 houses, there were 168 sepnrate let tings, and 733 people' residing in them altogether. Such conditions were most appalling, and if they allowed such a state of things to develop here, they would stand condemned not. only by the people of to-day, but by those who were to follow. (Applause.) In such circumstances was it any wonder that the moral standard was low and social conditions generally unsatisfactory ? It was the duty of every man and woman in the community' to remove such disabilities.. "There may be those who think that ir is time for mo to get a move on." To that he could only make the same apoU ogy as the Prime Minister. (Laughter.) It'was a positive fact that during the, war it was difficult to make any improvements. They could not get the men or the material. But the men were now coming back. God bless them for the work they had done, and God bless the mothers who bore them. ("Amen" and "Hallelujah!") The money question was not a 6erious one. They could easily borrow a million or two. (Laughter.) As far as Wellington was 1 concerned they were endeavouring to arrange for the erection of 500 houses by tho Wellington City Council. It was intended.to borrow as a start .£50,000 to build 80 homes. That would mean l-15d. annually on tho unimproved value of property in Wellington, and he was sure that owners of such property would not begrudge such extra taxation to provide interest and sinking fund. Ho would suggest that the general Government should guarantee the loan at 5 per cent., with a 1 per cent, sinking fund. If the money cost more than 5 per cent, the Government should, out of the Consolidated Fund, make up the difference, as its share to a great betterment scheme in the Empire City. (Applause.)