HOUSING AT LOWER HUTT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 8

HOUSING AT LOWER HUTT

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l would like to draw the attention of your readers to the fact that the Hutt Valley builders are quite capable and willing to undertake the building of 300 houses or more providing the Government finds the cash. We can assure the Government that we can build houses cheaper and better than it can do and to suit clients, and thereby save the taxpayer the cost of large factories, etc., which in a short time will have to be scrapped, for.it-is obvious that if the Government is going to do all the building, there will be nothing left for the small builder. That means joinery factories, timber merchants, plumbers, painters, etc., will be forced out of business.—l am, etc., A. JACKSON, President, H.V.M.B. Assn. (To tha Editor.) Sir,—The discussion on State housing by the Lower Hutt Borough Council and especially statements made by the Mayor surely call for some comment. The report by the committee that in one small portion of the borough there are 23 dwellings containing more than one family is an admission that there is a shortage. As all houses are occupied, what is the position of those who live in cramped conditions elsewhere, say in Wellington City and pay excessive rentals and who wish to reside in Lower Hutt? Lower Hutt certainly offers congenial surroundings, but where are the houses for these people to live in? ■ The suggestion that State houses would depreciate other properties is to my mind utter nonsense. The quality of the buildings in Lower Hutt is no better than some other boroughs. The statement of the Prime Minister that the State houses will not be built to a standard design will allay any fears of depreciating the values of other properties. The rates question has been definitely settled by the statement of the Minister of Finance. The Mayor condemns the Government in general. Nothing is right to him. His picture is a doleful one. "Already hundreds of houses which were on the point of commencement have been cancelled." "Tradesmen will be out of work." > May I inform him that carpenters are as scarce as houses and that higher wages have been paid to obtain their services. ■.: I am sure it would be right and proper for the Lower Hutt Council to reopen this matter of State, housing and consider it in a national light. If members put their shoulders to the wheel I am sure they will never look back.- 1 am, etc, CHIPS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—lt was with amazement that I read in your paper of the 15th inst. a statement by the Mayor of Lower Hutt that there was no shortage of houses in that borough. One has only to scan your advertisement columns to find out just how bad the shortage is. I personally have been looking for a house in Lower Hutt for" months. There certainly are a few at £2, £2 10s, and up, a prohibitive rent for the average worker.—l am, etc., HOUSESEEKER.