WORKERS’ HOMES FOR COUNTRY SETTLERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1, 31 December 1913, Page 6

WORKERS’ HOMES FOR COUNTRY SETTLERS.

t j| [Pan Press Association.] Wellington. December 31. Mr John, Lomas,„ Secretary t for Lijho?r,'“retires to-day on supera’nmuitioli after nearly twenty-three years’ service. i In the course of an interview with a “Post” representative, Mr Lomas said that it was almost impossible to estimate the increase in the administrative work of the Department, but compared with that of any other country jn proportion 'to population in administrative work. in New Zealand and in extension of the State’s functions' in connection with labor matters generally this country easily leads. “I may stay,” he added, “that independent of my official position 1 have always been intensely interested in Labor matters. Particularly is this the case with workers; dwellings, because the basic principle of that scheme is to make better citizens. It provides an easy means of giving the worker a direct inter*cst -hi his own home, and my experience is that the tendency has been to make men more frugal. T believe it is the intention of the Minister for Labor to extend the scheme into rural parts in order., that the farming industry may have men available at the time of,, year when they are most needed. 1 think this sene me is quite practicable and that it would mean the settlement of quite a number of good and useful worker's and their families in country districts. 1 he proposal is to give each man a home in the country and from five to twenty acres of land according to quality. We have already made a start, and thirteen houses arc to he erected forthwith at Willowbridgo, Canterbury. Each man is to he given an acre section of land. The cottages will consist of four or live rooms. The rental will he about fifteen or sixteen shillings, but included in this is part of the purchase money.