The Daily News. TUESDAY, AUG. 22, 1905. WORKERS' DWELLINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7905, 22 August 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, AUG. 22, 1905. WORKERS' DWELLINGS.

rhe Bill, which passed its first reading in the House on Friday, having for its object the initiation of machinery (or providing homes (or the large army of workers in the colony, is a corollary of the beneficent legislation which the pies-cut Government has enacted for ameliorating the condition of its workers. As far as possible the State has already safeguarded the health of those working in factories, shops and offices, by regulating the conditions of employment, aud now another progressive step has been taken with a view to remedying the hardships entailed on the wageearners of our more populated centres, consequent on the high rents that threatened to become an intolerable burden on the people. An attempt was made in 1900 to d£il with this important question by the Lands for Settlement Consolidation Act, but the provisions of that measure have been found inadequate to meet the case, as they were practicalfy inapplicable to the needs of working men in populous towns. As we have already pointed out in these columns the provision of a holding of five acres for a working man, while having all the appearance of a boon, was in reality adding to his burdens and making his life one of ceaseless toil. In addition to this, the small advance towards building a house, as authorised by the Act, was of little use, except to a man of small capital, who could dc iietter by using his money in anothei way." This has been clearly shown in tlie past, and now a more satisfactory scheme is to be tried, whereby workers will have the opportunity of acquiring, in town or country, freehold or leasehold homes. It will Ik seen in reference to the provisions in the Bill that the area is limited to one acre ; that the State may expend as much as £3OO in erecting any ont building ; that adult persons employed for hire or reward in manual or other work will be able to aqqulre either leasehold or freehold homes within easy reach of their work. That the terms are generous will be seen from the tact thai the leases are to be foi a term of fifty years, renewable at the lessee's option, the rental being based on a five per cent, return for the capital expended t|y the State, while the freehold can be obtained in one of three easy methods. There is one drawback that will probably be remedied when the Bill is in committee, and that is the compulsory residence clause which would press unduly hard on those compelled to remove from one district to another. Though there is no provision for such cases being met by the Land Hoard, it Would be far preferable to have t!u contingency satisfactorily arranged for by a permissive clause in th," measure. Probably this and other minor alterations will be made, hut (aken as a whole the Workers' Dwell; ings Bill is framed on excellent lines, and adds another to the long list ol progressive measures introduced by the Government lor the benefit of the people. It is pleasing to find that llu! Bill has been received with general favour bv members on both sides of the House, indicating that there will be a general desire to facilitate its passing into law.