HOUSING PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16546, 11 June 1919, Page 6

HOUSING PROBLEM.

• » TOWN-PLANNING ASSOCIATION DISCUSSION. The housing problem was diseased at some length at the first meeting ol the Town-Planning Association, held it the Citv Council Chamber, last night. Mr H. R. Smith moved that the Association should urge upon the Government the necessity for prompt action being'taken in an endeavour to overcome the existing lack of deccnt bouses at a reasonable rental,' and for this purpose a comprehensive Town-planning Hill should be made a matter of urgency at the next session of Parliament. Mr Smitli said that he believed that the Christcliurch City Council was the first city in New Zealand to want to establish a garden suburb. He believed there was land available on which, provided it was for sale at a reasonable rate, could be created a garden suburb without impesing any burden on the city as a whole. The motion was seconded by Mr Wm. Rcece, who pointed out the national and civic loss involved in slums and insanitary living conditions. Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P.. said that he was thoroughly in sympathy with the motion, but that there waß as much possibility of town-planning legislation being considered next session as there was of going to the moon. Was the Association to wait until after the election to get Parliament's authority to build a garden Buburb? Mr E. J. Howard advocated the necessity for starting in a smaller way. Ho thought, however, that the resolution should be carried as a matter of form. -Mr H. B. Sorensen asked if the City Council could not build the suburb, under the provisions of tho Public Health Act. The motion was carried. The Mnjtor then outlined a scheme he had evolved for tho establishment of a garden suburb in a block of 10 acres under offer to the City Council in the Shirley-Richmond district. He hoped that a settlement would be laid out on this block to house the returned po Icliers who were unable to Eecure iunißing accommodation.