THE DOMINION HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16491, 5 March 1914, Page 6

THE DOMINION HOUSE.

It is a matter for genuine regret that New Zealand is not to be associated with the great Imperial housing scheme advocated so earnestly by Earl Grey. The Prime Minister, who was asked the other day what New Zealand was going to do in the matter, simply stated that the Government had made “ other arrangements.’* Wo do not know whether these “ otlier arrangements ’ ’ have been made beyond recall, but Earl Grey’s proposal was pub-lished-and discussed many months ago, and this dominion very well might have delayed independent action until tho fate of the unity scheme had been definitely determined. As’ a matter of fact, the subject was brought under the notico of Ministers as long ago as September, and the promoters were given some reason for supposing that the Government was disposed to regard the proposal favourably. . Mr Allen, when the question was mentioned to him by a reporter, was quite enthusiastic about it. “ A very fine scheme indeed,” was his comment, and he went on to speak of it in terms that showed him to be conversant with the details. Mr Massey’s “other arrangements ” had then been made, hut Mr Allen regarded them as no bar to New Zealand’s participation in Earl Grey’s “very fine scheme indeed.” “As far as New Zealand is concerned,” he said, “ we have practically agreed to move from Victoria Street and to take premises in the Strand near the Adelphi Theatre, not far from the Queensland offices; but we are not erecting the building ourselves. It is being erected for us; we are simply tenants. Whatever may be the result of Earl Grey’s scheme, it is pretty clear that it will take some time to bring it into operation. Meanwhile, New Zealand has to make provision for better accommodation for the High Commissioner. . . . Should Earl Grey’s scheme prove successful, there is nothing to bind New Zealand, as far as I know, to continue as tenants of the premises in tho Strand. They could sub-lease and would be free, if they wished to do so, to participate in Earl Grey’s scheme.” There was no room for doubt as to Mr Allen’s approval of the scheme, but apparently the Prime Minister had overlooked his colleague’s comments. The best that can be hoped now is that Mr Massey’s “ otlier arrangements ” are not really final.