HOMES FOR SOLDIERS' WIVES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 211, 25 May 1918, Page 8

HOMES FOR SOLDIERS' WIVES

Sir,—l would ~ liko to point out, per medium of your- paper, where, at the present time, I think the Second Division League is missing its mark. So far the league hns not done bditty in its efforts to help the wives and children of Second Division men; that is, as far as money is concerned, but I am quite sure that the majority of the country members of File Second Division would be glad to know that they could leave their families in a decent house, in a decent locality. I daresay that the league thinks it can meet the ca6e with a sufficiently high separation allowance, so that the wife could choose her place of abode during hie absence. As far as I can see, no matter what her allowances i'lid allotments may be, she will just have to crowd in anywhere she can. I am writing from the viewpoint of country members of-the Second Division, and I know that the majority of their wives will have to leave their present homes when their men go into camp. Are the towns of New Zealand able to accommodate these families? From the price' one has to pay for house rent, or room?, and the difficulty of obtaining same, I think not. Just picture it, to yourself—what sort of-a time would a young country woman with several children have if forced lo live in a couple of rooms anywhere between Lower Tariwaki and Tory Streets— to say nothing of Frederick Street or Martin Square? Don't you think she would enjoy herself? And wouldn't her children become first-class candidates for gaols and asylums in later years? So, what about leaving the separation allowances for wives and children as they arc, and start groping for a scheme to house these country women and children ? You may believe me when I tell you that such a scheme will be necessary before many more classes of Iho Second Division are called up.—l am, etc,

Fin tlie fjreat majority of cast's ww with children will have quite sufficient in pay and allowances to keep on their homes in the country. The ■ I inanoial Assistance Bonril helps where necessary with the payment of vents. J