MODERNISING HOMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20627, 28 July 1930, Page 8

MODERNISING HOMES.

The scheme to encourage modernising buildings, launched among other motives to give (he many trades concerned in such work a stimulus for the relief of unemployment, has passed the preliminary stage. A meeting representative of all those who would he touched by it will soon be called to consider de-

tails. With development gone so far. the merits of the scheme deserve examination. I Unreserved support can be given the contention that if this thing can be done it. will lie increasing employment in a better and more economic way than by sending men to relief works. I hat point should not. need labouring. It can also be granted without difficulty that most people living in the old-fashioned type of house would like a more up-to-date and more convenient home, if the way to acquire one could be made clear for them. How far this can be done by an organisation such as the promoters have in mind can be discovered only by making the experiment, they have set on foot, and that is what gives it its principal value. The same things, doubtless, are true of business premises, but it is iri connection with dwelling houses that the widest, field appears to exist. Hut in both sides of its endeavour the objective of the provisional committee can be applauded. Further, a suggestion may be offered. Desirable modernisation may lag because house owners have not been prepared to act, or have not seen the way clear financially. So undoubtedly have many works of ordinary maintenance. This offers a further opportunity which the promoters of the campaign do not seem to have emphasised sufficiently. The house made to go .another year without. a coat of paint, the paperhanging work that, has been postponed, the renewal of a board in the verandah flooi, the repair of spouting which sags, and must soon begin to leak; all these things awaiting brighter days might be expedited if the people concerned could be convinced days will not become brighter while everyone is hanging back in doubt. Cannot something be done here? Tfc is a smaller field than the other, but perhaps more immediately promising Details apart, on broad lines the promoters can be wished well in an effort that, carried to success, should give valuable aid in tiding over the present unemployment.