CHEAPER RENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 8, 10 July 1916, Page 2

CHEAPER RENTS

10 THE EDITOR.

Sir,—-Various plans have been suggested why rents are so high; like everything else, buying and owning property is simply a pure speculation; therefore, let us look' at . the subject from this standpoint. No matter'what transactions aiiyone enters upon all look for some advantage and profit; this :is not local, but universal. Landlords want to get as much out of tenants as they can.; they are not guided by charitable feelings, but only £ s. d. That being so, and as rents have' reached over a fair maTgin, let us consider what can be done to meet the difficulty. The efforts of the Government to build a few workmen's houses have no effect to lower rents. Why not pass an Act of Parliament allowing the City Council to acquire the Town Belt, form roads, reserving, spaces for recreation, and let it for building .allotments?. Destroy the Town Belt, many will say; that's for breathing space. Nonsense! Are we not surrounded by thousands of miles of sea, where the waves and winds are pure and free from all contamination ? . There is your breathing space. What more is wanted? Hundreds of happy homes (built by the Corporation), let at a low rental on leases, would be an inducement for the working men and women to form homes which would teach them thrifty habits and have an immense effect on the morals of the people. Look at the Town Belt now, what is the good of it? Would it not be better made use of for the benefit of the people and bo a blessing to the community? Another suggestion: Cannot the councillors dovote more time to the wants and progress of the city, walk up Taranaki and Tory streets; both in the heart of the city? Why not obtain the. power to widen them into important street, which would cause' those streets to be leading thoroughfares?-— lam, etc.,

SYDNEY STIDOLPH

Bth July.