HOUSING THE PEOPLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10610, 8 June 1920, Page 5

HOUSING THE PEOPLE

UNIQUE EXPERIMENT IN BRITAIN. Reuter's 'Telegram;'" ■' ■LONDON, Juno 3.' Tho attempt to cope witli the serious housing problem has resulted in nn interesting experiment in London and Manchester in tho application of a Guild of Socialism, which it is believed is desfcinbd to' revolutionise industrial control." Under, jho system, a trade union ticket is o. corUficate ol membership of tho guild, “which is designed to mobilise tho necessary labour and eventually undertake all branches of tho building industry, supplying skilled ' architects 'and origineora, and carrying on all necessary and desirable public and private work. The labour of a. guild man -will no longer bo a marketable commodity, but a, guild man will be-on- the strength for life. It is anticipated that - 'the guild will ho able to increase the purchasing power of-‘its’'members’ pay; by scientific organisation' Of " production.' Discussions have boon proceeding mth the Ministry of Health in reference to the percentage of cost allowable for manngetnont. This hfls now boon tied on the basis of six per cent., m addition to a remuneration of L4O per house payable by the local .authorities. INTER-ALLIED CONGRESS. . LONDON, Juno 5. Mr Hurst Seagor, of Now Zealand, at the Inter-Allied Housing Congrcr.s. moved in favenr of properly-equipped children’s plavgrouiids. Within a quarter of a niilb of every homo should he placed spaces for use during meal hours. Properly organised shopping centres should he within cawy distance *of all residential places. This was defeated by 78 votes to <O.