WORKERS’ DWELLINGS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 84, 21 March 1911, Page 7

WORKERS’ DWELLINGS.

Some time ago we received a brochure entitled “Land Dialogues,” by Mr. Arthur Withy. On the front page of the pamphlet there is a cartoon representing the globe with a corpulent individual named Land Monopoly seated on top, and away beneath a thin and half-starved individual named Labour, bearing both the world and the land monopolist. Such a feat as that with which the labourer is credited would certainly compel admiration if it were true. Fortu-

nately such a state of things cannot be found true in this country. Here in New Zealand the position is reversed. The greatest care is taken of the worker by a paternal government. Labour laws are all in his favour. Everything that can add to his comfort is being done, and it is no exaggeration to say that there is no other country in the world which approaches so near to the Socialistic ideal as this.

As an illustration we may point out that the much-talked of workers’ dwellings can now be had on application. A worker for the purposes of the Act is defined as one who earns not more than £175 per year and who is landless. The dwelling can be bought right out, leased, or can be tenanted weekly or monthly. In the course of a day or two plans of the proposed buildings will be open for inspection at all the offices of the Labour Department. Applications for a dwelling may be made to the Superintendent of Workers’ Dwellings, Wellington. Any reasonable change in the architecture of the house, such as the shifting of a door or a window, etc., will be considered by the Board appointed for such purpose, and general encouragement given. Full information will be supplied by the Labour Office at Napier.