HOME MODERNISING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1014, 3 July 1930, Page 13

HOME MODERNISING

SCHEME URGED FOR RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT MAKING OLD HOUSES NEW A homo modernising scheme outlined to relieve unemployment, revitalise a score of languishing industries and to confer a lasting benefit upon the entire community, was urged in a lengthy letter received at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this morning. It was claimed that such a scheme, if taken up by the chamber, would revive a particularly depressed industry, that of the building trade. Auckland presented a wonderful scope for vigorous activity along the lines of home building modernisation, stated the letter. There were hundreds of premises, both commercial and domestic, which were unsightly, uncomfortable and unprofitable. “Most estate agents say that they can sell or let modern houses, but oldfashioned. premises are a drug on the market. Many property owners are anxious to sell, but they cannot find buyers for any but modern places, and yet through a lack of organised effort these places often remain as liabilities or depreciating- assets. “Thus the time is ripe for some active body to dispel the existing inertia and to promote instead, a modernisation scheme which will convert dead capital into visible assets, considerably add to the comfort and appearance of buildings, and provide a much-desired impetus to the architectural profession, to contractors, painters, plumbers, etc., materially assist toward the relief of unemployment, and impart a greater atmosphere of progress, increased values, and architectural beauty.” Continuing, the letter stated that the immense relief of unemployment which would accrue from such a scheme was most apparent. A forward movement of this kind would open up avenues for economic absorption of hundreds of skilled artisans and labourers, many of whom would otherwise be employed on uneconomic public work. Relief work, at its best, was somewhat demoralising to the recipient and was a drain on the public purse. Why, then, could the community not be helped to help itself by State finance guaranteed by way of mortgages, interest bearing, fully recoverable, and assuring employment for hundreds without loss . to the taxpayer or self-respect to the worker? It would appear that prices for all classes of building materials had reached rock-bottom and that the time was never more opportune than at present. “This is but a rough outline of the ideas already conceived and discussed among architects, builders and merchants,” states the letter. WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION “There is indeed a great deal iu this letter and my proposition is to call a special committee to discuss it.” said the chairman, ’Mr. Malcolm Stewart. Mr. A. G. Lunn regarded the question lightly and considered that it would not touch the fringe of the unemployment problem. “I think it is well worthy of consideration. For the cost of a few hundred pounds many of the old houses could be made to look like new and there would be a market for them.” commented Mr. Leyland, who seconded the chairman’s proposal. It was decided that the following committee should meet to discuss the proposition:—Messrs. C. F. Bennett. Crump, l.eykind, Pa.rk, Cornich and Boutcher.