HOMES FOR WORKERS'

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10693, 14 August 1912, Page 5

HOMES FOR WORKERS'

A NEW PROPOSAL

DISCUSSED IN MASTERTON

That there is a scarcity of houses in Master ton at the present time is admitted. The land agents are be- ■ seiged daily by prospective tenants, who are invariably turned away disappointed. How is the demand, which is bound to increase, to be met? This is a question which is being freely discussed. Owners of vacant sections within the borough-state that ( they would be glad to build, if they i could only be sure of permanent tenant's at remunerative rentals. -They are doubtful, however, whether, with the high values placed on sections the increased cost of building, the | erection of houses at the present time ] would he a profitable undertaking. ' What then, is to happen? [

A NEW PROPOSAL." j It is admitted that workers 'homes on small sections are undesirable, and are really .r.ot demanded. A member of the Labour Party, however, has conceived an idea which, if put into effect, would relieve the pressure with-' in the town, and provide homos which would be a permanent benefit to the community. A representative, of the Age interviewed the Labourite yesterday, and asked him to elaborate his views. ,

"Well, you see,'' h e said, "there are a number of workers in Masterton who are employed at shearing, and at the freezing works. These men have .no occupation in the off-season. They have either to leave tho town or starve."

"What is your suggestion in the matter?"

"I suggest that they be given the opportunity by the Government of taking up five-acre sections near the town, on which the Government will advance sufficient money to erect a four or five-roomed house. They would then be able to keep a cow. grow vegetables for their own use or

for sale, keep poultry and becfj, and possibly grow fruit. By tliis means they would bo an asset to the town iiv more ways than one. They would «pend their money in Masterton, instead of leaving for other parts ; they could provide residents with good, wholesome vegetables; and fruit; and they would livo fairly comfortably." "Do you not think live acres and a house would be too expensive for a worker?"

"1 don't. The five acres might be bought at the cost of half an acre in town. The rate would be lower, and the interest not more than an ordinary - rental."

"Are there a sufficient number of men available to justify the experiment?"

"T know of fifteen workers now who would be glad of the. opportunity of taking up the land and working it, if they only got the. chance."