ON THE DOORSTEP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 6

ON THE DOORSTEP.

The Wellington mother who so dramatically drew attention' to the housing ' problem, in so far as it concerned herself, by turning; oyer her twins to the tender mercies of the Minister of Housing, threw a, highlight upon the difficulties confronting the horaeseeker to-day, especially those who have given "hostages to society." The shortage of homes, which was manifest as soon as the depression passed, has not been .substantially mitigated by the Government's ' housing policy. Thousands of houses have been built all over the. country, but the number is probably much less than would have bean constructed if private enterprise lad been given a fair opportunity to cope with the situation, while the rents are no lower than would have been fixed under the older system.. The State has concerned itself with the well-paid artisan and the semi-professional classes. There is a measure of preference for families in allotting the houses, but the chief consideration, however it may be camouflaged, is .capacity to pay,, and thus the man with the regular weekly income has the. 'better iC&anpe in the' State home lottery. Very few of the homes built are ; suitable for'.couples with large families, and the rents fused for the larger homes are beyond the .capacity of many who have I several .children to pay. : The private house owner does not want them, they are unable to build for themselves, and they are thus placed in a wiery predicament, from -which it'he State, so far, has .done little or nothing to .extricate them. Houses with room for ,a large family, but at & nent much lower ithaii those L at present .demanded by the.State, .are an urgent necessity.- _