WORKMEN'S HOMES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8384, 19 March 1907, Page 5

WORKMEN'S HOMES.

+ THE POSITION IN REGARD TO MASTERTON.

EXPLANATION BY THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR.

Mr John Mackay, who some time ago secured a large number of signatures to a petition for the establishment of workmen's homes at Masterton, interviewed the Minister for Labour (Hon. J. A. Millar), in Wellington, last week. Mr Mackay men-" tioned that there was an estate suitable for sub-division for the purpose on the Upper Plain Road, and enquired of the Minister as to what was the position of affairs. The Minister replied that he had received a report to the effect that workmen's homes were not required injMasterton, as rents were low. Mr Mackay said that rents were on the high side, and apart from that, there were workers in the town prepared to take up homes under the Act, and whose only hope, practically, of obtaining a home for themselves lay in being allowed to take advantage of the provisions of the I Act- ! Mr Millar then explained that to the petition that had been presented were attached a large number of signatures of persons who were not desirous of acquiring homes under the Act. The Minister further stated that if he received a petition with bona-fide signatures attached —that is, the signatures of those desirous of acquiring workmen's homes, that an official would be sent up to Masterton to report, and if the report recommended the establishment of homes it would receive favourable consideration. It is Mr Mackay's intention to take round another petition for presentation to the Minister, and only those directly interested will be asked to sign it.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.