CARPENTERS’ UNION AND HOUSING

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26244, 16 October 1950, Page 6

CARPENTERS’ UNION AND HOUSING

SECRETARY REPLIES TO “ THE PRESS” “I would remind 'The Press’ that the Minister has not answered pertinent questions asked by an earlier sub-

leader in regard to the Government’s real housing programme,” said the secretary of the New Zealand Carpenters’ Union (Mr F. L. Langley), in answer to a leading article in “The Press” on Friday. ” ‘The Press' has not pressed this question publicly, but has persistently supported the erection of sub-standard houses such as those built ’at Taita, Wellington. The Carpenters’ Union is consistent in its desire to house the people decently, and is the only organisation that has taken drastic action L° MJ** 5086 luxur y and non-essential building with the purpose of housing more people with the material and labour available. We are anxious now to co-operate in providing decent houses as speedily as possible, but in vnew of reports from residents in transit housing that their health is affected and that they are informed they have little hope of finding better accommodation for from three to five years, we will not disgrace ourselves and the community by building under the name of the New Zealand union these shacks, in spite of The Press’ and the Federation of Labour. believe that every family is entitled to good, healthy housing as a social right, at a rental within the persons means. We know that this could be provided here in New Zeath® problem was tackled on Proposed by the union and with the courage and vigour proposed plan PUt nt ° temporary housin S reply to The Press’ criticism *“ e caroenters’ refusal to co-operate with the Federation of Labour and the master builders, I would say it was because we have no confidence in the executive of the federation. I would remind The Press' that our action is justified in the light of events, where the executive of the federation urged our members to continue working ifi defiance of a union decision one day and on the next expressed doubts of the proposal for the transit housing it had urged the workers to complete.