VITAL NECESSITIES OF CITY LIFE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 191, 10 May 1941, Page 8

VITAL NECESSITIES OF CITY LIFE

Modern Housing And Transport

CITIZENS’ CANDIDATES’

SPEECHES

Jloderu housing, the development of which he has observed in U.b.A., Britain, and on the Continent, and the question of the most economical co-ordina-tion of transport, are two phases of municipal administration on which Air. Bryan Todd, Citizens’, candidate lor the city council, bases his appeal lor the support of electors. As a young business man, says Mr. Todd, he has practical knowledge of transport development, as the lessons observed overseas have been applied _to his own company’s transport distribution system throughout the Dominion. Me sees transport of all economic types as the lifeline of a modern community, and, in spite of the high standard of the city’s transport system, he says there is room for improvement. ‘•There are diliicullies, no doubt, with rolling stock, but it should be possible to improve schedules and keep transport moving,” lie says. "'l'he development ot roads serving as exits from the city is another o.uestion related to transport in its broader aspects. “While every effort must be turned to winning the war, the city’s most vital need, that of housing, must not be overlooked. Indeed, the housing shortage is an impediment to the war effort, and the problem involves catering not only lor the permanent resident, but also for the transient or eemi-permanent resident.” , Jlr. Todd visualizes as a necessity “a return to the wholesome family life of our forbears, because family life is the heart of the nation, and it can be preserved best by making it possible to rear a family in the congenial, sufficient surroundings of a satisfactory home.” As a constructive contribution to the solution of the housing problem, Mr. Todd advocates consideration for the pre-fabricated house which, judged by the experience overseas, has many advantages.

Storm Water Drainage. Speaking at Karori, Mr. Will Appleton, chairman of the works committee, who seeks re-election to the city council and harbour board, dealt, with the storm water problem. Karori. he said, had always been a difficult area because of its topographical features. As a result of the sealing of roads and footpaths and the large number of additional roofs as a result of house-building, the flow of water in heavy’ weather had been accelerated. The old drains were now quite inadequate. .A. comprehensive scheme of drainage would have to be tackled. This would involve the expenditure of some thousands of pounds. Union Secretaries.

Speaking at Wadestown, Mr. Nathan, candidate for the harbour board, said that he had gone through the nominations of the Labour Party for the council and hospital and harbour boards, and had found that the nominations included eight union secretaries, and two ex-union secretaries standing for the council, five union secretaries standing for the hospital board, and two present and two past union secretaries standing for the harbour board. (In a report of Mr. Nathan’s remarks published yesterday there was a typographical error; the number of union secretaries standing for the city’ council was given as three instead of eight).

Hospital Accommodation. “If we solve the house shortage problem in AVellington we will solve at least partially the bed shortage in our hospital,” said'Mr. Combs, M.l’., candidate for the hospital board. "The present tax on hospital accommodation is largely the result of the fact that families are crowded into flats and rooms, and when sickness comes,

there is no chance of nursing the sulTerers in such homes. The public hospital is the only place they’ can go. Added to this, patients, nursed in hospital, have medical attention free and medicines free too, and this just at the time when their incomes are down to the lowest level. Given more houses we would have more home nursing and given medical benefits under the Social Security plan .we would have still more home nursing. ’ City Building Regulations.

Speaking at Wadestown, Mr. Maealister, candidate for the council, said that the cost of building in Wellington was excessive, compared with other parts of New Zealand. The configuration ot the city had no doubt something to do with the matter, but the council should see that the building regulations did not impose on builders any more restrictions than absolutely necessary for a safislactory job to be performed. Council bylaws, like Government regulations, had a habit of having further restrictions added to them, but nothing ever seemed to be dropped out. It was a pity that architects, builders, plumbers, ano other tradesmen did not, through their respective associations, confer with the city engineer in order to revise the building regulations.

Evans Bay Reclamation. In due course it was proposed to reclaim a large area of land at the head of Evans Bay, said Sir Charles Norwood, candidate for the harbour board. That particular part was not suitable as a residential area, but with suitable wharfing accommodation, which could be provided at Miramar, it would provide an ideal light industrial area, which was so urgently needed in Wellington. Such an area would give protection to residences in proximity and bring about better climatic conditions to other houses on the flat, as well as providing a muchneeded endowment for the board's finances for other projects contemplated. Reserves, Baths and Beaches.

In' answer to a question concerning the separating of the baths, beaches and children’s playgrounds from the city reserves, Mr. Duncan, candidate for the council, explained that after an inquiry by a committee of the council, it was decided to allot them to the city engineer, as that was actually an engineering job. Already great hail been made in the baths and beaches, and next summer repairs would be completed. The children’s playgrounds had been overhauled and all defective apparatus removed. The city reserves would still be under the management of the director of parks and reserves, controlled by the reserves committee. Finances Never Better.

Despite the statements made by the Socialist-Labour Party in the council, the financial position of Wellington was never better than it was at the present time, said Mr. Sievwright, candidate for file council, speaking at. Taia Hall. The Labour Party was a spending party and was now planning a raid upon the electricity department to the tune of £lO,OOO for tepid baths and said in the same breath “the winning of the war comes first.” Nearly every citizen could get a tepid bath at any time, and a swimming pool was a luxury the people can do without at present. “It would be better to suggest, as I do,” said Mr. Sievwright, “that if the £lO,OOO could be spared it should be given to the council to start a Wellington City Repatriation Fund for returning soldiers.”

Housing Scheme. A. good deal of confusion seemed to exist among Labour candidates over the city council and the State bousing scheme, said Mr. Fraser, candidate for the council. Labour candidates spoke as if those schemes were exclusive alternatives. They were opposed to the city housing scheme, though the Local Bills Committee approved of it. ’Che Auckland City Council recently sent an officer to investigate its operation in Wellington. That officer said he was not enthusiastic at the onset, but had been forced to a favourable

view on the evidence. 'The two schemes were not exclusive opposites, but complementary aids in the solution of the same problems, one providing a permanent tenancy tenure and the other facilitating occupier ownership.

Hospital Affairs. “At least one Labour candidate for the hospital board believes we should have another dose of incompetency in order to set the affairs of the board in order,” said Mr. Toogood, candidate for the hospital board. “The chaotic mess into which hospital affairs descended, and from which it is now emerging, commenced six years ago, when the Labour majority returned at the election of 193 G was sufficient to put Mr. Glover into the chair. At that date ignorance of the task before it becomes apparent in all the major actions taken by the board. The trouble ended when, two years ago, the city council had an opportunity to take a hand, and for vacancies which occurred, nominated two capable men, Messrs. Furkert and Gaudin. This action gave a majority in voting power to members with saner views, when idealism was given its proper place and useful work was started. The domination of the board by Labour has been a painful and costly experience for this city, and perhaps to the political Labour Party itself.”

Wellington's Milk Supply. ' “The City Milk Department has given Wellington a free health insurance,” said Mr. McKenzie, city council candidate, at Wadestown ’last night in reply to a question asking what benefits the department had conferred on Wellington.

“Pasteurized milk has done away with many infantile ailments, bovine tuberculosis, milk-carried fevers and other maladies. It is a boon and help •to Plunket work, providing a milk of purity and quality under the chemist’s constant care and inspection. Improved conditions on farms and transit safeguard a constant supply of milk and cream” said Mr. McKenzie. “School milk is building the nation on health-giving lines and avoiding malnutrition. You can absolutely rely on a clean, pure, wholesome milk today and enjoy it with safety.” CITIZENS’ MEETINGS At ten meetings to be held next week, citizens’ candidates in the Wellington municipal elections will continue their campaign. Details of the meetings are given in an advertisement in this issue. LOWER HUTT Citizens’ Committee The Lower Hutt Citizens’ Committee again draws attention today to its selection of candidates for the local body elections next Saturday. The candidates include the present mayor, Air. J. W. Andrews, and several who are now in office. This is the first election of a city council for Lower Hutt, which achieved city status at the beginning of this, year, and the new council will have the onerous duty of fostering the progress of the town and district in a time when the conditions will introduce many unusual difficulties. No meetings are being held by the citizens’ candidates, but it is stated that this fact does not in any way affect the desirability of a full poll. The candidates are well known for their public service and the committee fully endorses them ae men who will serve the city worthily and well.

Electors who are detained in Wellington may vote at polling booths at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute and the Hutt County Council Chambers, Bowen Street.