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Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 188, 8 May 1944, Page 4

There has been a Ministerial inspection of a prefabricated State house of which rapidity of construction and assembly are stated to have been impressive features; The pertinent question in this connexion is the cost, in relation to durability, which governs the rental. The cost of State houses so far constructed have been too much in excess oi what was originally estimated when the Government in the heyday of its zeal and enthusiasm raised visions in the public mind of State houses at extremely low rentals. As part of its housing scheme in England the British Government, according to a cabled report, plans to provide standard houses with gas, electricity and water laid on, and £lOO worth of furniture including a cooker and refrigerator, for £550, at the rate of between 2000 and 2500 a month. This does not include the cost of the land, but even with that added, this is cheap housing when all the amenities to be provided are taken into consideration. In the light of theso figures it would be interesting to know whether in terms of money the new plan for prefabricated houses in New Zealand is likely, to be of substantial benefit to the people.