HOUSING SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 17

HOUSING SCHEME

Sir, —It would appear that the Labour Government is not approaching the housing problem in a manner best calculated to provide homes for the majority. Before an applicant lor a State Advances loan can make application with any degree of certainty of securing a loan, be would need to possess in bard cash approximately £.300. 1 submit that under that condition the advance would not be made to a

" worker," for where is the worker who has managed to furnish a home, rear a family and have £-100 or more available as deposit on a home? Admittedly, provision is made for those unfortunately not possessing such amount, but the conditions of advances are so stringent that few will pass the test. Then a man's "conjugal state" is the subject of inquiry. Prior to the recent general elections the Labour Party broadcast the view that 25,000 homeless families existed in our iair land and that it would be one of their first steps, upon accession to power, to provide homes. Twelve months have passed and building has not yet commenced. although many comparatively unimportant works are already well under way. The question arises as to where all those homeless families are to find shelter over the period. While the housing problem has to a large extent been relegated to the background, millions of pounds are available for public works, where single men are employed. At the same time the Hon. P. Eraser cries out for larger families in our country. Large families are not reared on railway lines. Ibe situation is aggravated by many forms of recent legislation and particularly tho Fair Rents Bill, which has discouraged prospective landlords and deprived workeis of rented homes and homes for purchase on small deposits. The Labour Government cannot house the people, and so far has offered no encouragement to private enterprise. Amended legislation is essential to the well-being of home-makers. Cons'] KCi rivK Policy.