HOMES FOR WORKERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 314, 23 November 1910, Page 3

HOMES FOR WORKERS.

When the House of Representatives was in committee on the Workers Dwellings Bill on Saturday morning, Mr Poland (Ohinemuri) said the miners in his district could not obtain advances in bpild houses. During the past six months not 3 single sixpence had been so advanced W Ms district. How long was the boycott to (conffnue? Mr E. H. Taylor (Thames) said I? is district was suffering from the same complaint. Hon. J. A. Millar said that the Act would apply to miners as well as to other workers, the only difference woyJd be that the Mines Department would t-iWfi to hand over a certain area of land 'to ft,p Crown. There would only be a limkeu available under the Bill. The miners, could not therefore expect a big sum for workers in their class alone. Mr Taylor: Will special facilities •be gif/.en to the miners who have a frefiiaoid-'j Mr Millar. # be a better security than if .true find also to buy the land. Mr Jennings said that ■ the aawmillers in his district wanted to know whether they would obtain facilities under the scheme. Mr Millar said there would have to be some signs of permanent residence. He would not build houses fof mpn P" purely sawmilling areas. It would 4° t0 build hoLlses in localities wher.e were only residing temporarily. Mr Mi.ljai' added that for a deposit of £io the Government would erect a dwelling on lands set apart for the purpose. During the discussion on the Bill, Mr T. E. Taylor moved to alter the ws&e (ift.ifc at which grants are to be made "to wprkers' homes from £156 to £175,' k y»«i. The Minister accepted iivt iM.vii4mexst, and said he anticipated a great number of applications, probably involving demands for £50,000, while only £15,000 would be available.

Mr Allen moved an amendment having the effect ot extending the provisions of the Bill to workers holding unencumbered private land. This was: by 39 votes to 17. Tfoe §HI was reported with amend-' merits.