FILLIP TO INDUSTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1015, 4 July 1930, Page 1

FILLIP TO INDUSTRY

Modernised Homes Suggestion RELIEVING THE UNEMPLOYMENT Government Aid Sought A SCHEME for modernising homes and thus providing work for the unemployed, which was outlined at yesterday s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, is generally approved by many of Auckland's leading citizens and business people. Many trades will be revived if the scheme becomes active. It will also provide work for skilled artisans. Those who will be assisted are painters, paper-hangers, plumbers, plasterers, bricklayers, electricians, earners, timber and joinery workers and merchants in the hardware, brick and tile businesses.

The scheme was suggested in a j lengthy letter received by the Chamber ; yesterday and will be further con- , sidered by a special committee which was set up. Mr. C. H. Ford, a well-known Auck-' land architect, said this morning that' anything which would encourage expenditure ou useful work was cer-, tainly to be commended. At the present time many houses iu Auckland were being allowed to deteriorate through lack of attention. "A very fine scheme,” was how Mr C. F. Bennett described the suggestion. "There are many places iu Auckland today, which, by reason of their position and accessibility to the city, are desirable properties in every way. hut they lack modern conveniences and appointments, and they are not readily saleable,” he continued. "The houses which are selling today are those which are situated in the better localities, are convenient to means of transport, but are of the more modern type. Obviously, therefore, in order to make old places attractive, they must be modernised. For instance many homes which are situated in delightfully-wooded surroundings, with well lald-cut gardens, but which arc deficient in modern appointments, are not appealing to the purchasing public. The application of a scheme for general renovation and for making the pi ace 3 more attractive must enhance their seliing value.” ASSET TO HOUSE Many owners of houses, Mr. Bennett continued, were content to use tin and enamel baths, which were painted from time to time to give them an air of cleanliness. If these were scrapped and porcelain baths and hand-basins installed it would be a tremendous asset to a house. Buyers often expressed delight at the modern bathrooms in old homes, and this asset often induced people to purchase the property. Many of the older houses, even in their original design, could be made most attractive by slight and inexpensive alterations. For many years, he continued, the Auckland climate had not induced many property-owners to install adequate hot-water services. Many had been content to install a califont over the bath, and in some instances gas stoves have served as the only heating apparatus, perhaps with the assistance of an occasional radiator. The

Institution of chimneys, providing nice open fireplaces, would add materially’ to the comforts of the home. It the work of renovation were undertaken it would give a general fillip to many industries. "I am practically certain, with the smaller demand tor house property today. that many people who have old-fashioned homes and who wish to sell them, must, for the improvement of their security. consider modernising their homes," Mr. Bennett concluded. Mr. L. W. Ridge, of Samuel Vaile and Sons, does not think that the scheme is practicable at the moment. He does not think that the Government would finance any such scheme in view of the Arapnni trouble and the curtailment of the railways. It was suggested by the originator of the scheme that the Government be asked to advance the necessary money on mortgage, but Mr. Ridge considers that the Government would take only first mortgage. Property owners who went to the Government for assistance would probably be carrying a mortgage, and those with unencumbered property would get an overdraft at the bank. Mr. Allan Smith, of Smith and Smith, approves whole-heartedly the scheme. He considers that in addition to employing labour it would assist merchants and help trade generally. LACK OF PAINT A prominent Auckland builder expressed the opinion that many of tbo houses in the suburbs were deteriorating through lack of paint. Ha thought also that the scheme would encourage people to buy old houses and reconstruct and modernise them, thus making them more attractive la every way. Many old houses were being allowed to fall into disrepair, but by a littla reconstruction, which would not be expensive, they could be made both artistic and valuable. Reconstruction was at present most popular In England, where even old barns and cottages were being transformed into attractive and inexpensive residences. In bis opinion this could be done in Auckland. It would employ carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, plasterers and paperhangers, and help to decrease the number of those out of work, in addition to putting much extra value on property which was rapidly losing its value.