WORKERS' HOMES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3177, 30 August 1917, Page 6

WORKERS' HOMES

fOR HARBOUR BOARD EMPLOYEES

"Twelve months ago," said Mr. J. G. Cobbo, at last evening's meeting ot tlie Harbour Board, "this board passed a resolution in favour of seeking legislation that would give them power to build houses for workers, ana it was ,tnon decided that a deputation was to wait upon the. Prime Minister on the sublet. He had been reminded of tho matter by a comparative statement of rents paid in New Zealand, showing that in Wellington the rents wore much higher than in anv other city. He thought that the time 'had come when they should seek power to go,on wi.th the scheme. The men were now receiving more money, it was true, but the rents were at such a height that he doubted if they were as well off as they were live years ago . The chairman (Mr. C. E, Danicll) said that the matter was considered by the committee of the Harbours' Association, and referred to the general conference. The matter had also been referred to the Minister of Marine, who had stated that there was m> possible chance of getting any legislation on the matter through this session. He did not know what "they could do further Mr J W M'Ewan said it was only the power they sought;, and if a member of the board could get a local Bill considered, surely they enu d get an amendment to the Harbours Act through. Mr Cobbe suggested a denutation to the Prime Minister. Tf they did not give it a certain amount of publicity nothim- would ever be done. Eents in AVelfington wero 32 per cent, higher thanin Auckland, and 42 per cent, higher than Christchurch rents. , , Mr DanieU said that tho board hnd some' twelve acres at Miramar, which were worrying him, as the rates had to be imiri on them every year Mr Cable wished to know whether tho workers hnd w>\e.& for the scheme Mr. Cobbe replied that that had nothing to do with the case. , Mr. Cobbe's view was fhat tho workers of Wellington know how to take .caro of themselves. (Laughter.) Finally it was agreed that, tho subcommittee originally sot up (on which Mr. M. W. Welch was substituted for Mr. W. Hildroth) should wait on the Primo Minister during the ensuing month.