THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon. FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1920. MUNICIPAL HOUSING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 501, 30 January 1920, Page 2

THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1920. MUNICIPAL HOUSING.

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

A short time ago wrf dealt with the matter of erecting workmen's houses by a municipality, urging that the Pukekohe Borough Council should investigate the provisions of the Housing Act, 1919, with a view of doing something towards relieving the shortage of dwellings in Pukekohe. Unfortunately, no particular interest has been displayed as yet, though public men of other towns are taking this question iip-in. an ener£etic,^ann«fT Te AwaCouncil, for instance, decided to ask its ratepayers' sanction TofT jTO!]S{fsgWßan"of i'iojoOoT lii a final word on the proposal, the "Post" writes: "The only fault to be found with the housing proposal is that it is, by comparison with the requirements, too limited in its scope. At the very outset it makes provision for only fifteen houses, whereas .many more are needed. But it is a start in what must assuredly become a prominent sphere of municipal enterprise. Moreover it paves the way for a larger and much more elaborate scheme which, on the success of the initial venture, will doubtless come in the progress of time. Of the proposal itself, it is simply intended to make the money availably for those who desire to who offer reasonable security jjff*the local authority on tfU fjul). lie. In this, the plans outlined by the council are exceedjpgly wisjLas the public exchequer % not to shoulder the burderfs of architectural fees or in any way speculate in house building. j&aThere will, be supervision to see .that of building named iifethe tions on wiiich the money is is not materially departed fHj&n in the construction. Nor $ the public purse drawn upon in ; any way "by the adoption of such a sfi|eme. The loan, though authorised by,"the ratepayers in one sum of ,to be raised only in "as applications for advance# are -approved. In this way become payable only in such ratio as is stipulated by the applicants who will pay them. The town in reality pays nothing. It becomes, in effect, p. free-money loan, which, without increasing the rates, make possible the provision of more houses. And, since houses are a supreme need at this moment to accommodate the iifl creasing population, the loan is of first importance. The money is intended only for those who desire to erect dwellings for their own use. It will be beyond the reach of those who wish to speculate: and this is an important matter. Te Awamutu—and every town—needs a resident population with a permanent and not a parsing interest in its affairs. Anything which encourages people to take up the freehold is of double value and has to be encouraged." We endorse the views of the "Post," and submit that they are equally applicable to Pukekohe. If the council would appoint a sub-com-mittee from among its members, to secure all available information on the question, a proposal to raise money for dwellings in the borough might be put before the ratepayers —as a separate proposition—when those for the roads, water, drainage, electricity extensions, and Town Hall are being submitted. (The latter proposals, we sincerely hope, will be submitted, "en bloc.") If the ratepayers turn down a scheme for the material advantage of the town, and which will not mean an increase in rates, that will be "their funeral," but at least the Council should give the ratepayers an opportunity of stating whether or not they wish the town to grow.