ORAKEI AND GOVERNMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 78, 3 April 1926, Page 15

ORAKEI AND GOVERNMENT

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln Saturday's issue appears comment upon the subdivision of the above area for the purpose of workers' dwellings, which, as at present contemplated, as the writer stated, will be beyond the means the average worker. I wish to point out that the sections could be brought within the reach of the average worker by a subdivision of six or seven sections to the acre. Six will, with a flftv-foot frontage, give a section of a depth of 145 ft; seven, 124 ft deep, which gives a greater area than, the average worker possesses in any part of the city. Some will no doubt contend that that area is too small. Let those who think so traverse our suburban areas and note the manner in which the average workers' sections are kept, and then decide whether it is not preferable to have holdings which can easily be kept neat and tidy than larger sections which put a greater effort upon the owners' shoulders. These" remarks must not be taken as casting any uncomplimentary reflection upon the average worker's manner of keeping his home. I sympathise and fully realise that the average worker who is engaged at manual labour the whole of the week, day in and day out, is not in the humour to tackle too much manual exercise in his spare time. Another remark your writer made was in reference to the sincerity of the Government in the matter of advances to workers and settlers, which I am afraid has substantial grounds for assertion. When the Government invited those who had capital at their disposal to lend it to the Government for advances to settlers it was made possible to help the settlers, with some security, although the interest was low compared to what could be obtained elsewhere. But it should be apparent that it is a duty to help the settlers ,and those who can should place a portion of their capital in that direction. Having done co myself and induced some of my friends to do likewise, and then to find that the money is being denied the farmers and going to be squandered in Palmerston North on a railway deviation, which, in the face of our present state of affairs, is wholly unwarranted. I feel that the money has been obtained from me-by-unfair representation, and in the case of a private concern could demand the mj money.—! am etc., DELUDED INVESTOR. '