CASTLES IN THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 6

CASTLES IN THE AIR.

THE HOME HUNTERS. i SEEKING GOVERNMENT AID. I If tlie Government's housing proposals have done nothing else they have awakened a widespread longing on the part of thousands of people to possess their own homes. Ever since the 05 per I rent soheme ■was advanced its possibili- ' ties have gripped the imagination of the I public, and despite fears that it is too good to be true, applications have been, pouring steadily into the State Advances Department. 'Husibands and wives have eeen in it the one means of escape from the dreary apartment house, and the snatches of conversation one heare in the streets, as friends discuss ways and means, indicate clearly that man}- people have 'been despairing of ever knowing the joys and comfort** of a real home. Only those who have been forced to occupy rooms in a boarding-house for months on end or share a house with another 'family realise tlie tremendous handicap life under such conditions entaile. Its artificiality subtly and steadily impaires the nerves. The feeling of being constantly under observation and subject perhaps, to biting critioifim irritates, and even the clockwork percision which is necessary in euch places is irksome. Peace at any price is the only manner in which children can be tolerated in these establishments, and home-training is practically an impossibility. LOVE'S YOUNG DREAM. But the 05 per cent scheme has not only raised the hopes of those who are already enenared in the present apartment system. It has ibrightened the future prospect of young couples who are contemplating marriage. Now they can, with some appearance of achievement, plan and map out their future in a little place that will be all their own. Hundreds of them are building their castles in the air and woe betide the Government if it is not sincere in its intentions to supply their wants, i Already complainta have been numerous that there is tremendous delay in dealing with applications. ' One case was cited recently whore a man obtained an option over a section, which, however, he was in grave dinger of losing simply because hia application -was not ibeing dealt with expeditiously. It is quite probable that there are many others in a similar position. In addition, it must be remembered that the Department is handing out its grants one at a time, according to the Premier, who, under the circumstances, need scarcely have feared creating a building boom. There is no dombt that the housing problem would liave been more quickl"V solved had municipalities (been given the opportunity they so much desired, Jof tackling the matter in their own way. I But tJiat would have meant finding "a very substantial Bum at once, which probably did not suit the holder of the country's purse-strings.