HOUSING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20649, 22 August 1930, Page 14

HOUSING.

Sir,—Mr. Hewitt does not give a straight answer to a straight question; lio is denying the child of his own brain — flic suggestion that homes; for the poor should replace old structures in the city area. I have shown him it is nil impractical suggestion, and ho now wishes to make mo the? father of his preposterous idea. He has now awakened to the fact that some city areas arc small, and more suited for business than residential purposes. Why did not this brain wave strike him before he rushed madly into print, with the sufferings of relief clients and impecunious tenants, and belittling mvnere and their difficulties ? How will it benefit these people if the old houses do come down and warehouses arc erected in their places? Mr. Ilowitt has aireadv told us that there is no necessity for anyone to live in slums, for he quotes "hundreds of empty, good-class houses at. low rental" are obtainable immediately. Why do not his clients occupy them? Mr. Hewitt is very anxious to teach someone —he docs not specify whom—their duty. If these same tenants for whom he pleads were taught their duty, citizenship would lie a much better thing. Teach them cleanliness of person and home; pride and independence; respect for other people's property; consideration for all other persons—including owners; a little sturdincss and not rush to bo spoon-fed by charitable organisations. Owner.

Sir, —1 have been interestedly following the correspondence between Mr. Ilowitt and "Owner" re scrapping of houses (not homes) occupied bv the poor and needy. It seems to me that neither correspondent has sought a solution of (lie problem of how to get to better con ditions It is useless to compel owners to rebuild oi- even repair houses that yield no returns. At the same time public health and social conditions demand that housing shall be kept up to a definite standard of comfort and sanitation. To destroy some, of these shacks may be necessary—others may very well bo improved, and 1 would suggest to Mr. Ilowitt that some financial aid to the unemployed might bo given by employing a cleaning up gang upon any house pointed out and notified by the health officer ns requiring treatment. Properly supervised, this would relieve the owner and assist the tenants, and possible induce some, of them to make an effort to bo clean. E.N.D.