HOUSING FOR THE AGED

New Zealand Listener, Volume 41, Issue 1053, 30 October 1959, Page 18

HOUSING FOR THE AGED

Sir,-It is unfortunate for the good cause on which G. C. Chalmers wrote that the issue of Aid for Ceylon has been drawn across his plea for the many older folk badly in need of homes. I will not labour the subject pounced on by other correspondents except to point out that our high standard of living is not a gift from heaven but the reward of hard and unremitting struggle for social betterment by men and women with a strong belief in man’s ability to help himself. As to the merits of granting large sums to aid less well-off countries, it seems to me that a policy of being just before we are generous would rid us of the shame of leaving a large proportion of the aged and enfeebled to fend for them-

selves in the quest for living accommodation. Is it not a matter of simple justice that any government pledged to "Homes for the People" and engaged in home building operations should piace the requirements of those on small incdmes and declining strength promin-ently-if not first-when building plans are prepared? These citizens have surely earned the right to foremost consideration. They reared the taxpayers of today and maintained homes in difficult times when no State aid of any kind was available. Now, whether living in single rooms, flats, or homes of their own which have become an economic burden, they find themselves left in the outer darkness while others benefit from building schemes some of thege older ones helped to promulgate. Their present unhappy plight has been publicised so that most people must be aware of it, but so far we look in vain for action. We tend to become weary of being talked about at conferences, seminars, and on public occasions while those in their 70s and 80s wonder if relief will come in their lifetime. The time has come to ask for the formation of home-building groups whose members will lend money at a low rate and, with the aid of Government subsidies, will acquire sites and build flats and small individual homes to be rented within the scope of the age beneficiary’s pension, For over twenty years I have known this to be done as part of the British Home-building Association with immense benefit to many thousands of old people. New Zealand claims to set an example in humane legislation. Why allow this cause for shame to remain?

ONE OF THEM

‘Auckland).

( Abridged.-Ed. )