NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY. SATURDAY DECEMBER 20, 1919. WORKERS' HOMES.

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1919, Page 2

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY With which is incorporated the NORTHERN MAIL DAILY.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 20, 1919. WORKERS' HOMES.

Registered for transmission through

the poit as a newspaper.

The subject of homes for the people is a most vital one at any time; for no cultured people cari find expression in cramped and sordid surroundings. A particular interest is given to the subject by an advertisement which appeared in our issue of yesterday. The Whangarei Borough Council invites applications from those desiring dwellings and tho genial town clerk, Mr Marwick, has intimated that he will be pleased to give any information desired. It would appear that the repayment for a £700 house, covering principal and interest, amount to 18s lOd per week. The initial sum to be paid by the worker is £10. The home-builder can choose the site of his residence and it has been suggested that a good plan would be for a few friends to build houses adjoining. A point of significance in this connection is that if two houses are built practically alike, the cost is reduced by about 20 per cent. A still further reduction is possible if semi-detached houses are erected. This is clearly a case whore cooperation can work most advantageously, and a vigorous harmonious policy may literally save the home-builders a considerable amount of money. In any case there is an opportunity to possess a home offered to every worker permanently residing in Whangarei. The provision under which the local authority may build homes for the people are those of the Housing Act made law three months ago. There is a decided shortage of house accommodation in Whangarei, and an united building scheme of artistic dwellings would enhance the appearance of the town. Emphasis is laid on the word artistic, for no dolls-house kind of dwelling is acceptable nowadays. The erection must by its very appearance and situation suggest the word home; and no crude construction is worth such a happy designation, Although the houses may, in the main plan, be built similarly, by a few clever outer contrivances they may be made to look charming by their variety. One would like to see a friendly competition among builders instituted, each builder to have full liberty as to the type of house built, but a guarantee to be given that similar houses would be built for the specified sum. A most interesting competition and exhibition was organised at England's first garden city. This was about 15 yciirs ago, and quite dainty homes were eiected at a cost of £150 each. There was nothing ordinary-looking in the design, and the main materials were severally concrete, hollow concrete blocks, cement rough cast, brick, wood, or a combination of two or more. Allowing for the immense increase in the cost of material and labour, it is certain that a carefully worked out co-opeiative scheme could produce attractive and convenient dwellings at a price within reach ol' the majority. One often hears criticism directed to the powers that be concerning housing facilities, and it. is to be hoped that the provisions of the new housing act, will be given full and frank investigation. Should the act prove inadequate in its provisions then there should be swift representations made to amend the law. In I'ie meantime we trust that the advertisement of the Whangarei Borough Council inviting applications from those desiring dwellings, will be met with a vigorous response. The invitation for

applications is most broad in its scope, and the present is a golden opportunity

for the housing difficulty to be dealt, with on comprehensive, rational, and adequate lines. The greater tho number of applicants the greater will be the assistance which the council will ask the Government for. Furthermore it also depends upon the number of applicants received as to whether the council goes on with the scheme.