HOUSES FOR WORKERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 13, 16 January 1912, Page 7

HOUSES FOR WORKERS.

A VIGOROUS POLICY

The foundation stone of new workers' homes, numbering 21, to be erectod at Island Bay, Wellington, was laid last week by the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labor. The Prime Minister was also present, and a large number of people witnessed tho ceremony.

Mr Millar said these homes com prised the first group built in Wei lington under the Workers' Dwellings Act, 1910. A large number of applications had been received from different towns iii New Zealand. Twentytwo dwellings had already been begun in Auckland, and 14 in Ohristchurch, and 11 would shortly be commenced in Palmerston North. Applications were also being considered from Napier, Wanganui, Taumarunui, Rangiahua, Timaru, Temuka, and other towns. The Wellington houses would consist of four of four rooms, 10 of five rooms, and one of six rooms. The total cost, with sections, ranged from £395 to £500. Payments would be under the purchase system—namely, deposit £10, and 7 per cent, (including 5 per cent, interest) on the balance, plus insurance. • Weekly payments would range from 15s to 16s Gd, including Is for rates. In 25$ years the houses would belong to the occupants, which period could be shortened by paying additional sums. All the material was good, and the design and appearance compared more j than favorably with other houso? in j Wellington of similar class. Appli- ; cants had the choice of plans free of I charge, and the department could ; make, reasonable alterations for par-1 ticiilar requirements. Applicants could choose their own \val\popers and fittings. The sections ranged from 86ft to 40ft frontage, with 113 ft io 120 ft in depth, or slightly under oneeighth of an acre. The buildings

would have all the latest and up-to-date conveniences. The cost to the Government would be for buildings £9258 and for land £2,217. It would therefore be se&n that ;s considerable amount of money was being; spent on this excellent system. Sir Joseph Ward stated that iiic Labor Department was. .'negotiating for land to extend tho scheme to Dunedin, Invercargill, Blenheim, Nelson, Gisborne, Taumarunui, and New Plymouth. A powerful public opinion backing the scheme would, he said, soon bring exorbitant a-ents to an end.