BUILDERS' PROFITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18663, 20 March 1924, Page 11

BUILDERS' PROFITS.

UNDER HOUSING SCHEME. CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN. Housing reformers in Britain intend to press the new Labour Government in the House of Commons regarding the kind of houses that are being built in country dis- | tricts under the subsidy scheme. Before the change of Government, states the Manchester Guardian's London correspondent, it was officially stated that a large number of houses are being built in the rural areas, but it is suspected that the anxiety to make a satisfactory show in the number of houses has been greater than the care taken to see that the houses are such as are within the means of agricultural workers. What is said to be a typical case which will be brought to the attention of Parliament relates to a small country town in which the local authority is acting as the channel through which the Government subsidy is being given and the builder is putting up the houses. They are within the measurements laid down in the Act, but have various adornments. These desirable villas are being offered for sale at prices from £.900 to £1000. As building wages are low in this neighbourhood the cost of building each house is probably not more than £600 or £700 In addition to a profit of probably £150 the builder is receiving . the State subsidy as a free gift. The price at which the houses are being sold represents a rent, with raies added, of at least £1 a week. These houses are completely beyond the reach of the agricultural labourer or the rural artisan.