HOUSEWIVES' UNION

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 9

HOUSEWIVES' UNION

THE HOUSING PROBLEM The Dunedin Housewives’ Union held its fortnightly meeting in the-. Trades Hall yesterday, when a large number were present. Many of the ladies present spoke of the inadequate housing conditions prevailing. Many houses were without baths or hot water, and with very httle space, and were charged for at an ex orbitant rental. Indeed, with the large amount of unemployment many fami lies had been unable to pay the rent, and as a result found themselves evicted and thus rendered homeless. Many present thought that the rents of houses should be based upon the daily amount received in wages. It seemed hard that a man should have to work for the best part of a week for the landlord, and, of course, all present realised that it was not the duty of one’s neighbour to see that the individual was properly housed. Ibis was the duty of the Government. Houses were built by private enterpriso for profit. Land and the crcC" tion of buildings cost money, and it people put capital into the building of houses they looked for a return for the money so used. . . The rating on the improved value of the land (it was urged) was one cause of the high rental system here in DuneC Objection was also raised to the speculator in land who gamed through tlie improvements brought about by work and money spent in the vicinity of such land, carried out hy the municipalities, such as the laying down of tram lines and the linking up with electric light. All such improvements meant added revenue to the private profiteer in land instead of the colters of the community. If houses were built with all conveniences and of an up-to-date class only those people who bad tlie money to rent them could occupy them. This meant that the poorer peopio were driven into the slum part of the towns. d , Attention was drawn to the tree medical attention with regard to the children in our schools; also the tree dental clinics. It was also proposed to endow Dunedin with an obstetrical chair, hut what good would all tins bo (it was asked) if the benefits were retarded by unsuitable living conditions? Overcrowded housing conditions existed in Dunedin, and very little housing for the people had been earned out bv the Government. Since the war other countries (Germany, Holland, France, and Great Britain) had all carried out extensive housing schemes m tlie interest of the people. During tbo Coates Government regime a fine settlement had been built for the peopio at Lower Hutt, Wellington. If such a scheme were carried onlT right throughout New Zealand the problem of housing would soon do righted. . It was decided to write to _ all tie members of Parliament placing the housing position , before them.