HOUSING THE UNEMPLOYED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 March 1932, Page 3

HOUSING THE UNEMPLOYED

UTILISING PUBLIC WORKS HOUSES SUGGESTION BY COUNCILLOR WASriROUKN At the recent meetings held in Nelson in connection with the unemployment question it was stated that the rent was the main difficulty with many of the men, and that if this was overcome it would materially improve the position. At the City Council meeting last evening Councillor H. E. Washbourn moved that a sub-committee be set up to go into the question of housing, with a suggestion that the possibility of establishing a settlement on the lines of the Public Works camps be considered. The mover said be had made the same suggestion some time ago, and he thought it worthy of more consideration than it had then received. The rent question, added Councillor Waslibourn, was tlie largest item in the budget of the unemployed. It had been abundantly impressed upon all that “we were up against it,” and that the position would be worse during tlie coming winter. There were quite a number of houses on the railway construction works which be thought might he obtained for the price of transport, etc. Councillor Movnagli seconded the motion. Councillor Huggins, although sympathetic towards the proposal, thought it was more a matter for the Unemployment Committee to deal with. The Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) said the suggestion was a good thought.' The only point, however, was that of finance. Rent was tlie chief item. Oh the other hand if such a scheme was put in operation landlords, would have houses empty, and it might be better to subsidise landlords. Councillor Waslibourn replied that it was not a question of buildinsr new houses. His idea was to borrow tlie houses from'the Government, tlie Council to pay the cost of transport and of dismantling and re-erecting them. The houses were built in sections and could easily be re-erected. Councillor Gibbs said those dealing with the unemployment question liad been trying po avoid duplication and to have, one organisation to deal with the whole svstem of relief. The suggestion should 'be sent to the Unemployment Commitee, or the Council delegates on the Committee should be asked to cooperate. Councillor Waslibourn: “That is quite satisfactory to me.” Councillor Page was in sympathy with the proposal but was sure it could not be carried out. He liad inspected the cottages on the railway works recently and they were all occunied by the families of men working in the district. Only the single huts were uninhabited. He considered that the cost of removing and re-erecting the houses would he prohibitive.

It was resolved to refer the matter to a committee consisting of tlie mover and seconder and Councillors Black and Huggins.to consult with the Unemployment Committee.