THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17247, 10 September 1921, Page 10

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PEESS." Sir,—May I make a small contribution to the discussion on the above matter? The one thing that stands out clearly is the number of people who are quite willing—nay, desirous —to shed the last drop of their brothers' blood in | furtherance of their ideas or ideals. | Councillor Sullivan quotes with evident i approval a suggestion he says was made I to him that the hardware merchants should give a supposititious stock of hardware somewhat out of date towards the provision of homes for workers. The builders are to do the work, giving their skill and experience, without ordinary profit or reward. The capitalist (oh, the abominable capitalist!) is to- give or offer his capital at about half the current rate of interest. And all for the benefit of whom? THe poor workers, who have never yet lost an opportunity of extorting from rich and poor the last possible- farthing the ab? normal. circumstances of the last few years have enabled them to obtairr. And. what. arc. the workers, who are in per- ' inanent employment, and of • whom. many are -the proprietors of comfortable homes, going to do to help their less fortunate brethren? Up.to date, I have heard of nothing. It used to be said that "the poor are the best friends of. the poor." When I was a lad, now more years ago than I care to think of, there used frequently to be seen outside a public-house a card 1 with the inscription, "Many can help one, where one cannot help many," together with an intimation, that "Friendly "lead"' would be held inside to benefit so-and-so. Now, what can Labour do to help solve the housing problem ? I have a suggestion to make. The | Churches Jtiave frequently shown us the way. We must ; all have seen illustrations showing in different stages how [ church buildings or eohools have been i erected in a day. Here, is an example |to Labour. Labour Day (so-called oecause on that day we do no work) is coming along. In nearly all trades that day is a compulsory paid holiday. The employer finds the wages and gets no return in work. My suggestion is that all labourites should contribute that day's wages into a fund to* buy sections and materials, and that each worker should turn to and give that day's work to 8 "bee" in raising dwellings on the church plan outlined above. By this plan they could certainly make'accommodation for several families, and thus help to relieve the situation. The property could be vested in the City Council for the benefit of deserving cases. Now, then, brothers, roll up. Give a pound and a day's work; You get the pound for nothing, surely you can give a day's work yourselves to help your unfortunate fellow-workers.— Yours, etc., A LLFELONG TOILER.