State Houses And Needy Workers

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 11

State Houses And Needy Workers

Sir, —I listened to a speech by Mr. Bodkin this afternoon in. which he was drawing attention to the poverty in certain centres, including Auckland. He also mentioned the housing problem. I would like to state the position of some of my own relatives there (Auckland) with regard to Statg houses. A nephew, married and with two children, applied two years ago for a State house. An inspector went out to Ellerslie to investigate the. conditions under which they are living (4-roonied house in which lived mother, sister and her two children, brother, also his own wife and family, five adults and four children altogether). His application was placed on the urgent list. A few weeks ago he received notice that a house (State) was available for him at New Lynn (nine miles from his work) at 33/- weekly. As he earns a little over £4 a week he was unable to accept the house, as he could not afford such a rent with fares as well to his work, so he and his wife and. family are still living under his mother’s roof. Surely this is an appalling condition. Is this the way the Government are solving the housing problem?—l am. etc.,

HELP THE NEEDY Wellington, July 25.