WORKMEN'S HOMES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14432, 13 August 1912, Page 2

WORKMEN'S HOMES.

SYDNEY'S EXPERIENCE. ' (special to "the fmss.") AUCKLAND, August' 12. "I doubt if food or clothing is any cheaper in Sydney than in Auckland," remarked the Mayor (Mr C J. Parr) in the course of conversation this morning with a; representative of the 'Star." "Rents are high, and the building ; trade is kept busy to meet tho great demand for. houses. The Labour Government is making an attempt to solve ! the problem of dear ients. The Minister for Public Works is erecting twenty-four workmen's cottages at Daceyville, -which is situated on tho sand hills at Kensington, about five miles from the post office. I was much interested in the experiment ami visited tho place twice, as I hoped to gain some experience which would be useful to the Auckland City Council. The Minister's methods, however, did not afford mc much encouragement or assistance. The- Labour Government, among other enterprises in New South Wales, has started State brick works, State saw mills, and a- State joinery, and it was these that supplied the material for the erection of the workers' i homes. The contractor, .was banned because he was too expensive, and the Government is building tho houses by day labour. A small army ol men are ai work, and one would expect under such ideal conditions that cheap houses would, be provided lor the people sit last. The people evidently expect such will be the case, for there was quite a rush for these cottages. Although only two are finished, over 1000 citizens have applied for them, and then* are still more to. come. I found, however, that already serious doubts aro being expressed about these cottages. It was stated in Parliament that notwithstanding tho banishment of tho contractor, and in spite of the State supplying ihe materials, the ultimate cost of each house would approximate £600. To get the total cost it is necessary to add the price of the land and the expenditure in levelling the sand hills' sites. It therefore looks as it the cost of the cottages will not bo much less than £1 per week if they are to pay interest, depreciation, insurance and sinking fund. Jf that be so, they will- be of little use to the man xvhose house should not cost much more than 8s to 10s per week. I am afraid Daceyville is going to be a little disappointment. The question of dear rents is a serious and insistent question for tbe labourer, and has got to bje solved somehow. It will be seen from this experiment that day labour and State bncks and timber arc not quite tho solution of the housing problem.* .