WORKERS’ HOMES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9789, 12 October 1917, Page 7

WORKERS’ HOMES

HAEBOTJH BOARD SCHEME. PBIMH MINISTER PAVOHES PROPOSAL. I A deputation from the Wellington HUrbour Board waited on the Prime •Minister yesterday in regard to workers’ homes. There were ~present at the deputation Messrs E. Pltecher, A. H. Hindmarsh, E. A. Wright, C. E : . Daniells, A. E. Nicholls, J. G. Cobbe, and J. W. McEwan. Mr Fletcher introduced the deputation. Mr Daniells stated that on several occasions the Wellington Harbour Board had-passed resolutions to'the"effect that it was desirable that the board should have the authority already given to other local bodies to provide homes for their employees. ■ It .was thought desirable not to press the matter just now, but it was understood that during the coming recess the Government would bo doing something in this direction. - • i Mr Cobbe said that the' board wua asking the Government - to;' introduce legislation so that the Wellingtou’-Hiar-bour Board could legally;-raisowa- loan for the purpose of buying ..land, and erecting workers’ cottages thereon wherever the’price of land nnd building material warranted this course. They had no intention of rushing into a building scheme until the _ circumstances were favourable. Their object was to improve the condition under which their men wore employed. They thought this could be done without increasing the charges of _ the board. The scheme was more especially intended for the benefit of tho casuals who live in conditions that demand tho earliest possible improvement. In. normal times the board ' employed 300 permanent men and 100 casuals. The casuals were selected from something like 600 men. It was suggested to limit itho casuals to - 600. It was estimated that 100 of the permanent men and ■4OO of the casuals. was intended as condition? were favourable'to‘buy’one or ’two blocks of fairly level land of about 250 acres accessible to the city by rail and steamer and to erect ..on, this: Jand as required a number of four and five-room-ed cottages, each having half on acre of land and. to. ,make l of enrolment on the board’s register t.hat each of the'board’s employees should occupy one of these houses. Tho board could let the houses at. a foyer pate than those prevailing in the city. Mr Massey said he was in favour of the proposal and was very glad they (were taking it up. He asked Parliamen about three years og to give county councils and borough councils authority to barrow for the purpose of erecting workers' homes. The war had (prevented a great many of the local (bodies from taking advantage of tho legislation, lie would do his best to get tho authority they were asking for, Viut he was not certain that it could be done this session. If it was not done 1 would not be his fault. He would yisk the Wellington members to back him up in order to get some preliminary legislation passed "«o‘ us to show that Parliament'was in earnest and to encourage the board to pet on fritu the work at tbe earliest possible -moment