THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1919, Page 5

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

A WELLINGTON SCHEME TO BE INITIATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 14. The Gaa Company, wliick recently purchased 12$ acres close to its works at Miramjar, has decided to consult' its employees before erecting workers' homes upon .the land. The employees are being asked to form a committee to consult with the directors. The company proposes to erect permanent buildings of brick and concrete at as low a cost as possible, but wi,th good workmanship, so that the rents, which are to be based on the costs, may also be as low as possible. The company does not desire to make anyjrofit out of letting the houses, but the committee 13 required to assist in the general planning of the scheme, so that houses suitable to the wants of the employees will he erected. Among other objects is the desirability of building semi-detached houses or groups of houses in a block.

The committee is ,to ascertain whether a laundry of the kind usually erected with a group of houses would meet with the workers' approval, also the number of employees desirous of becoming tenants when the scheme is floated. The committee will be required ,to assist in the supervision and management' of the settlement. When the plan has advanced a stage further it may be of assistance for some of the wives of employees to be added to the committee to give advice on the internal arrangement of the houses. The intention of the-directors: is to acquire a recreation ground in the neighborhood of the settlement, and generally the object of the directors is to provide for the employees suitable houses in pleasant surroundings in the vicinity of the workß at a reasonable rent. The scheme is open to every employee of the company.