HOUSING AT MIRAMAR

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 50, 27 August 1921, Page 9

HOUSING AT MIRAMAR

TO TBI IDITOK. Sir, —When .the Labour Department, or rather the housing root and; branch end of itj saw in your issue' of the 25th. in cold print a copyof the letter which they had sent to the "Purchasers" (now > for some, weird - and wonderful; reason j'camouflaged as "Tenants"), they ,must I have been". astounded at their 'own. audacity. When they read, if they dared to, their own reply to a.question asked, they must have blushed at their own powers of explanation. Possibly' a dawn; | ing vision of the error of their ways accounts for the.effusion which reached m« to-day. It reads: "As you have not signed the memorandum of agreement to purchase the dwelling at present occupied by you, I shall be glad to be informed if you intend to sign same. The rental has been reduced from 34s to 30s weekly, and should the new terms be s unfavourable from your standpoint I shall be pleased to meet you in this office at .5.30 p.m.-on Monday, the, 29th inst., to discuss the matter." •■ , . t i

Sir,. only'genius could have evolved such' a- letter. Let me- explain:; Many moons ago I signed an application to purchase (not rent) a dwelling, and handed ..in £1. Nearly six months ago I was informed per . letter that the Housing "Board had t approved of me, and by call-' ing at the office and paying £9 balance of deposit on purchase money nnrl further iveeklv instalments (not rent! of £1 Is lid I could .enter into possession. The house wasn't finished, but I went in. It isn't finished yet; that's why they know the cost. I give' them another/, tvvelve months—lightning isn'/t in it with their methods. ■ . ■ .:

• iNow I am told that my "rental" is reduced from 34s to 30s; (I may say in uassine that I' never received the letter you originally quoted). The actual position is that instead of instalments of 21s lid I am now. being asked to pay 30s, an increase (save the reduction mark) of 8s Id per week. I can't "honestly" pay it, and there's no loose cash to be pick-; ed up or any gold on these Miramar sections. My cash. is always short, so the Government sentenced me to 36J years' hard labour. As. I have gotten me a large family, the Labour Department constitutes itself judge and jury, and imposes an additional fine of 8s Id;per week for the period—the penalty of parentage.- . Sir, Mr. Massey, when- Minister of. Labour) made a bargain .with me. He promised a house—a home—not to exceed £1000. He said'2le lid a week. : On the very day this 30s demand Wat made Mr. Massey. sailed from Liverpool.-. Why not give him a chance to get back here and "stand by" his contract? Does the Department fear his wrath when its methods are known?'' One bright light in the Department, when. asked what would happen if we, refused to sign, waved his' arms arid said, ■ "Oufr,youvgo ! Regulations don't bind . the ' 'CSoVernment." Does the present* Minister authorise that? Does he carry, an evic-' tion law up his \leeve? I understand mine is only one of a general invitation to a meeting on/ Monday. .1 hope, the press mil be represented! I trust" the local M.P.'s will be there!. I feel sure the Minister will like to know "what's what"! I extend to all a hearty invita--1 tion to be present. I myself will be there.—l am, etc., •'■•;■' >.-,' LED LIKE A LAMB.. 25th 'August..