OLD AGE PENSIONERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 6 October 1936, Page 2

OLD AGE PENSIONERS

NATIONAL HOUSING SCHEME TENTATIVE BUILDING PLAN OUTLINED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, sth October. The importance of placing the needs of old age pensioners in the forefront of the Government’s national housing scheme was emphasised by speakers at a conference between members of the legislature and representatives of religious and benevolent organisations which was held to-day to discuss the need for providing housing accommodation for old age pensioners in Auckland. A tentative scheme for building houses in blocks was submitted to the conference and a resolution was adopted urging upon the Government the necessity of giving priority in the national housing scheme to providing suitable accommodation for old age pensioners and others in similar circumstances as they were the worsthoused class in the community. The Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C., presided, and among those present were Mr A. G. Osborne, M.P., members of the city council, representatives of the clergy and 40 old age pensioners belonging to the old people’s fellowship. Mr Lark said that not very much was wanted to force recognition of the lights of old age pensioners. He could assure those present that the old people would have the first claims on the attention and work of the Prime Minister. The Government would make every effort as far as housing was concerned and there need be no fear that old people would be left.out. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet and every member of Parliament would guarantee to do their utmost to see that old people would be guaranted shelter for the rest of. their lives.. , A tentative scheme for a suitable group of houses which had been submitted to the city council was outlined by Mr E. Gill. He said the estimate was for 24 houses built in blocks of three houses with a small plot of. ground for each house, separate from a central common garden. A central building comprising a Rail and two common, rooms for men and women was also included. The total cost of building these 24 houses with the central hall in permanent material with three acres of land in a convenient suburb, would be £18,032. Assuming that the 24 tenants could pay a rent of 10s a week each, there would be an annual revenue of £624, which would provide £270 as a sinking fund of 17 per cent., and £354 as a maintenance and management fund of nearly.. 2 per cent. & “It is evident that, such a scheme; could not be carried- out by an ordinary loan bearing interest,” said Mr Gill. “We submit that it. is a most suitable use for national credit free of interest chargeable to the undertak•ing.” Mr Gill added that if one,,..block was satisfactorily self-supporting, _ the scheme could be extended to’, any. limit' found possible.