HOMES AND IMMIGRATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 149, 19 March 1920, Page 7

HOMES AND IMMIGRATION

PEOGREKS LEAGUE'S SUGGESTIONS.

Tho following resolution was passed at a meeting of the executive of the Central Progress League:— "That the league advocates an immigration nolicv of suitable British emigrants, but urges the Government to first concentrate on the immigration of men skilled in the building and allied trades, so that houses may be built'for our. ow,n people, now without homes,' and for tho flow of British emigrants we mav exDect in the country when the housing nroblem has been solved. That we'are of oninion that the Government should slon all unessential buildings until the house shortage has been overcome."

In reference to the above resolution Colonel Mitchell stated that the Progress Lensue was of opinion that the housing problem cannot possibly be solved under the nresent rate of progress being made in the building of homes, and the posir tion promised to bo ju'sths acute'ili ten vear's as it is to-day. unless much more moid progress was made. It was quite questionable if we were even holding our own in . tho'. matter. A well-known builder estimated that half the men. skilled in,the building trades were emnloved on buildings yhich could be done without in the meantime,

"Personally." he said. "I am of opinion ! that much more drastic and comprehensive steps are necessary than the Government have vet taken. I suggest:—(l) That the Government stop all nnneces* sarv buildings, such as grandstands, motor earage.s,- theatres, picture shows, shorn, and such ivories which eannnt, under anv stretch of imagination, he claimed as urgent while we have so many homeless people, and concentrate all tho available labour on building homes. * '21 Thnt the Government direct timber mills to concentrate on thb pro. ductinn of house building timber only, and the Government take over the whole of their outwit, also the output frombrick and cement works and roofing material, and distribute where most nrg.ontlv, recmired at cost prices (plus expense*, of course). (3) To concentrate inimediatelv on the immigration of men skilled.in th? building and allied trades, to heln in building homes for the homeless here, and the emigrants wHch we so urgently require for rb> development of the country, but which should not bo brousht l>» r e before the housing problem is solved." '