HOUSING THE PEOPLE OF WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 83, 2 January 1935, Page 8

HOUSING THE PEOPLE OF WELLINGTON

One of the Main Roads To Business Recovery

A -NEW YEAR APPEAL

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The messages of goodwill from our political leaders should go far to arouse some spirit among those who interest themselves in national and civic life. Wellington citizens gave of their best both in welcoming the Duke of Gloucester and in celebrating the festivals of Christmas and New Year. Not for years have we witnessed such a flue spirit of friendliness, goodwill and optimism. In a few days the wheels of industry will be turning again and our minds devoted to business and work. In a few weeks we will be hearing the first murmurings of municipal election activity. This year our Mayor and councillors take over the administration of civic affairs for three years. So, from many points of view, it is imperative that more than usual interest should be taken in the policies of the candidates seeking election. • Now that we have got rid of the clieqp and tawdry decorations that turned our streets into a third-rate, circus, and as soon as we have settled the burning question of beach wear, it may be possible to renew interest in the more important problems of housing and city development. The depression has been blamed for the cessation of development activity; we must recognise that the cessation of development activity was In rgoly,.responsible for the depression. This is being recognised the world over. A perusal of leading newspapers representing the trend of thought in every important city In Britain and her Colonies shows that enlightenment has dawned at last and the attack on stagnation has begun in earnest. , ,

It is common knowledge in. Wellington that we could have a brighter and better city; we have known for years that our housing requirements are not being met; our derelict areas are a disgrace and a byword; every citizen knows that the time has come for vigorous action. The younger generation of business men, artisans,' professional men and workers are demanding ways and means to a busier life. Despite the opportunities of the past' 50 years our older generation has left us a lot of awkward, problems and v a substantial amount of debt. Further drifting cannot and should not be allowed, and the lead given by “The Dominion” during the closing months Of last year toward public discussion of city development and housing should be followed. Britain and'South Africa have proved thatg general economic activity has followed on the heels of the promotion of housing and development schemes. The cry-js for avenues .for the distribution of bur wealth so that we can continue in the production of more wealth. Our experience in Wellington has proved that the starting post for the circulation of money is the building industry. In this year of. grace the sooner'we get’ the .demolition gangs busy paving the way for the builders the better it will be for every business house, shop, factory, workshop, the better it> will be for the economic, mental and physical health of everybody. It is not a question for party polities, creeds, or theories—it is purelyand simply a job for men and women of common sense and a love for their city. Strange to say there exists a horde of regulations and legislative enactments to prevent an immediate move toward financing and proceeding with large-scale demolition and rebuilding. The official mind—national and civicrotates around a lot of paper junk that requires the match of public feeling and opinion to set it alight for destruction. Every Parliamentarian and every city councillor can produce, at a moment's notice, dozens of regulations to excuse the lack of activity in any direction of progress. To start the breakdown of these barriers the following questions should be addressed to all candidates for civic honoursu — 1. Are you in favour of an overhaul of the building regulations to allow the application of modern ideas to the construction of group housing in specified areas? 2. Are you in favour of zoning the city to determine definitely the areas to be set aside for in-' dustrial development? 3. Are you in favour of an'immediate bousing census’to -bring, out the actual facts of housing shortage? 4. Are you in favour of the immediate demolition of all. houses' which have been condemned by the bousing inspectors during the past 20 years? 5. Will you prosecute every constitutional method to secure legislation from the Government to allow the City Council to establish ways and means to provide finance for the orderly development of the city? 6. What proposition have you in view for the urgent reconstruction of the northern area of Adelaide Road to improve the amenities of Government House and the approach to the suburbs? 7. Would you support a motion for the reappointment of a city planner? S. Will you insist on the publication of the report and plan for - city development at present In the pigeon-hole of the city engineer’s 'office?. When we get to know the housing units available for decent accommodation of our population, when we are made aware of the sanitary conveniences available for the city population herded in the congested areas, and when we learn of the number of condemned houses still being occupiedwell, we are going to get a shock and a jar to our civic conscience. We are entitled to get some of these questions tackled before the next municipal election, for, after April, we will not have the same opportunity until 1938, and in that year the centenary celebrations will be looming in our minds. If city councillors are slow to move, then maybe the building industry. employers and employees, can start the bail rolling toward some practical scheme of reconstruction, planning and building. —I am, etc,, OURRENTE CALAMO. Wellington, January 1.