SOLDIERS’ HOMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1924, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ HOMES.

NO KFVALF.VI it IN'. Wl'jU.lXG’loX, Sept. 21. Labour nieinf' ct., joined with A Siile.v in a protest apaiiist the ■deii-a'i of the Retitinn; Committee makiii" i leeomm.'iidati. n in the case of Dunedi soldier o ill] .nits of homes under tl Workers’ Dwcllim/s AM wbw s.up;,!il ii'ilii; ti.m i.f \;duations on tlie

Mr Si.ley editin',.'l that there was big question involved, hut said that h did not see v. hy t.tinned soldiers o the land got t evaluat ions while rr 11.riii'.l • ihiicrs in city homes did not Mr f'iirr.v : Or piivatc citizens. Mr Sidey aglec.l vitli Mr Sidey' argument, timi said that the questioi resolved itself into a J.oiilt whether ill, bash- nave ueeived by norkers w.a eoinpatil.le with interest charges etc. on the homes provided liy the (invent incut. He.reminded both Liberals am RiT.irmcrs that tlu'ir slogan formerh was that a .lay's wage shouLl I e stuTt eient for a week's rent. To-day tinti was only heard from the Labour Party The .solution to the problem was to te dure tin* valuation of the houses or in . tease tin- basic wage. The Hon. (!. .1. Anderson said that lie had seen the Dunedin liou.-es, and a latlv in one of them oxprc.svd he; delight at the place and its cheapness. He did not think these houses could have bcin built cheaper. The sites were the cheapest purchased ill the !)o-

Mr Willm d: Probably they ...itl.l be built for £20!) less to-day. Mr Anderson said lie did not think so. He supposed the petitioners thought there was a. chance of getting something from the Covet iiment. and tlioughL theto was nothing like having a t t v. Mr Sidey said the estimate was that the houses could be built at from CllO to £2OO less. Air M’Keen said that he* was surprised to hear that occupiers had expressed pleasure nt the cheapness of those homes. The Minister knew better. and the Minister knew that he knew bettor. There was not a single district where these houses bail been built but complaints had c-eme. All* Anderson: Not from Dunedin. Air Al'Keen: Alastortou. Feilding. Nelson. Christchurch, Aliramar and Petone. ATr Anderson: Not Dunedin. Air Al’Keen said that the occupiers expected to pay a rental of abut l<s Oil week.

-Air Anderson ; Arc you talking about Dunedin? Air Al’Keen: I am talking about a number of these houses. Air Anderson: Veil are not statin." all the facts. Air Al’Keen said that the rentals were 22s 4d, 21s Id, and ;!2s Oil. The Alinister must come out in the open and do somethin". Tbe upset pri e of these houses had to be reduced to a standard which would allow of a icn- . onablc weekly rent. Air Anderson said that the peo]’o "ho took these houses were warned lielorehand that the cost and rental would he "renter than they anticipated. They knew the position before they t xil; possession. The report was referred lack to the committee.