PETONE'S PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 27, 31 January 1919, Page 3

PETONE'S PROGRESS

Speaking of the present position of Petone affairs, the Mayor (Mr. M'Ewan) stated to-day that the town had progressed in many ways during the war period, and that there was every reason for a cheerful outlook as to the future. Every house is occupied, and in rha,ny cases by more than one family, an apparently unavoidable circumstance at the present time. Owners of dwellinghouse property are getting better returns on the whole than at any time in the history of the town. Business is good, though many still prefer to spend their money in the city. There are 110 iroeraS'oyed, in fact the Borough Council has fiicuity'in getting sufficient men for its ordinary work, although higher wages are paid than by most boroughs. This condition contrasts very favourably with the Labour position in 1908 and 1909, when deputations of men seeking work were of almost daily occurrence.

With regard to the housing problem, Mr. M'Ewan declared that hundreds of people had visited the town looking for houses, and had gone back to the city disappointed. The problem had reached the stage when it could not be tackled by private enterprise. Municipal housebuilding was not, for many reasons, a satisfactory solution. The State, he said, must undertake this urgent duty in a comprehensive way. So far the Govennnent appeared to be half-hea.rted in the matter. Petone was destined to be a big industrial centre. Already the indication in that direction was most pronounced. Lever Bros., soapmakexs, were almost reedy to start, and others were making enquiries re factory sites. There is plenty of room in Petone and the Hutt Valley, declared the Mayor, not only for factories, but homes for a very large population.