SLUMS IN SYDNEY

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1946, Page 7

SLUMS IN SYDNEY

SURVEYS BY BUIEDIXd SOCIETIES SYDNEY, Sept. 20. Sixty thousand New South Wales families are sharing homes, according to Mr. W. G. Pooley, general secretary of the co-operative building societies, who told a meeting of the Town Planners’ Association that 82 per cent, of 5000 homes surveyed by the societies in New South Wales were unfit to live in. The survey showed that 73 per cent, of the homes covered had no bathrooms or provision for bathing, and that the occupants used tubs in back sheds. Thirty-two per cent, of the buildings were condemned, and had been for periods up to 20 years. Mr. Pooley alleged that Governments were not courageous enough to face up to the problem of slum clearance, because it was “political dynamite.” It was amazing tp find out who owned the major portion of slum houses in Sydney. The owners were mainly religious organisations, persons with titles and business concerns.

Steps could bo taken through council ordinances to improve the slums, he said, but reformers were up against a brick wall of influences.