WILL THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE ?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 19 May 1941, Page 2

WILL THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE ?

Sir. —Now that the Mayor and coun- ’ cillors have been chosen for a term of ’ office, I feel sure that they will receive l the best wishes and the co-operation ; from the citizens, whatever the direction their votes were accorded. I trust [ i*. will not be considered too presump- , on my part to offer, not only a , suggestion, but a challenge to them on tnvo matters of policy for the next two years. I refer to “Housing” and “Rating.” ‘ It is a matter of no little disappointment to a large section of the ratepayers and citizens that previous councils have dodged the “housing issue.” The Government is helping by providing State houses —so far so good—but not nearly far enough. To-day in Nelson as one looks around can be found large areas of vacant land —ideal in locality, etc., for building sites. In addition in our city we still have numerous derelict houses—slum houses in some cases—worthy of condemnation; houses that stand to-day only because of the j apathy and lack of progress of previous councils. Is it not an undeniable fact that if we increase the number of homes we increase the number of ratepayers and in that way help to bring down the rates. I am convinced that many families would come to reside in Nelson if the , housing question was not so acute. I ! maintain that the council should take j steps to remedy the housing problem. First of all. form a “Ho.using Committee,” consisting of several of the bestsuited councillors, who would act in conjunction with a number of qualified private citizens. Their job would be to sponsor and control a municipal building scheme. I would suggest their aim be at least 50 houses a year. Probably the biggest proportion of these homes (if not all of them) could be available for sale on such terms that v/ould show no embarrassment to the average person and at the same time no loss to the council. I am in earnest in this challenge to ; cur council—give us homes, homes. ; homes, and still .more. Homes are of j more importance' 1 than parks, gardens, footpaths, roads, etc., however important these less important and less urgent | thing are. We trust and believe that j dozens of the boys now in Egypt and , elsewhere will be returning to Nelson j to marry, settle down, become homemakers, and require homes. I believe, with all my heart, that the highest patriotic effort we could make on their behalf would be to begin a home-build-ing scheme, and have homes ready for them when they return. Critics will say, we have no money, we have no roofing iron, we have no labour available and other obstacles will be presented. I say most definitely we have the ability and the materials to accomplish this task and this duty. Now briefly in regard to “rating.” Is it not a fact that the rates on a private residence are higher in Nelson than in most other towns or cities in New Zealand? This must be an admission that we are emploj’ing the wrong method in Nelson. I challenge our new council to investigate this question of “rating on unimproved value.” and bear in mind the progress of the city. Thank you, Mr Editor, for allowing me this opportunity. I have made my challenge in a friendly manner, hoping that some move will be made in the right direction. Will some more of , your readers give us their opinions on these two vital questions?—l am, etc., S. RUSSELL. Nelson, 19th May.