THE UPPER HOUSE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 212, 23 September 1937, Page 3

THE UPPER HOUSE

— Prsss Association.)

Address-in-Reply Debate Continued HOUSING POLICY DEFENDED

(By Telegraph

I _ WELLINGTON, Last Night, The Legislative Gouncil met. at 2.30. a Sir James Allen presented a petition 1 asking leave to introduce .the Church of England Trust Amendment Act, ; 1937, | Sir Charles Statham presented a petition asking leave to introduce the Wellington Diocesan Board iTrustees Empowering Bill, Hon. C. J. Carrington introduced the Alsatian Dog Bill, 1937, which was read a first time. Continuing the Address-in-Keply debate, Hon. T. E. Doyle supported the Government 's policy and praised ,the pensions legislation and public works activity. Hon. W. Hayward criticised the Government, ospecially their financial policy and public works expenditure; Hon. T. Bloodworth said the Gover-uor-General's speech had xeferred to allegiance to the principle of collective security and then to the need for coordination of Empire defence. Those two views were in conflict. The League of Nations had failed in part, but any organisation would fail unless the members supported it. The old system of the baiance of powcr failed eoiiipicteJ y, The British Empire should realise tho value of collective security, because without it the Empire could not hold together. Unless there was a revivai in favour of collective security the present armament race must leaS to a war of destruction or universal bankruptey. Discussing housing, Mr. Bloodworth said there was a guat difference between building homes and housing the people. The Government was building houses, but had not yet .touched the problem of housing the people. Private enterprise had failed to house the people, because it had left that field when the profits were reduced. Iu ali the cities there were workers who had to live near their work, and the Government should assist the .municipalities to clear away decadent areas, so that homes could be built for these workers. The building of singlo unit homes was not tackling the problem al all. Sweden was a land without slums, because the Government had assisted building societies and individuals, and the New Zealand Government should do the same. .To secure labour for building he suggested the establishment of trade schools, from which young people could enter the industry. In conelusion, Mr. Bloodworth said tio supported the Government, but had affered a friendly criticism, because a flatterer was not a true friend. He wanted the Government to succeed for Its own sake and because the eyes of the world were upon New Zealand and its failure would be a severe blow to the progress of the social and labour principles for which so many had foughts ,