WORKERS' DWELLINGS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 28, 28 October 1919, Page 4

WORKERS' DWELLINGS

EXCESSIVELY HIGH TENDERS.

"A letter sent out by the Labour Department stating that tenders for the erection of workers' dwellings in tlio New Plymouth district were too high to us accepted was mentioned in the House of Representatives last evening by Mr. S. G. Smith (Ta.ranaki).., The letter stated that the lowest tender received in NewPlymouth had been .£1023, to which had to be added the cost of tlio section. The total cost would be much in excess of the allowance fixed by the Act, and no tender could be let at such a rate. Tho Department had been able to arrange for tho building of houses at Wellington, and prcbablv would be able to let tenders at Auckland. Nelson and Tima-rn. Tlio letter added that arrangements would ha mndo Inter for the successful tenderers in these centres to build homes in centres where no tenders had been accepted. Mr. Smith asked what immediate provision tho Government was going to make for the needs of Now Plymouth. Over 200 people were practically homeless in the town now, owing chiefly to tlie purchase of houses for returned soldiers. The Prime Minister replied that thero was no doubt tlio New Plvmoutli tenders had been excessively high. It would not have been in the' interests of the Department or of the tenants to build homes at such prices. He intended to <islc the Labour Dennvtnient lo c.nll for further tenders a little later. Tf the prices were a';ain too high the Department would hare to bring contractors and lalwtir from outside. Mr. Smith: Will the Minister ascertain the cause of the high prices? Air. Massey: I am inquiring into it now.