STATE HOUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 15

STATE HOUSES

Sir, —Your correspondent "Puzzled" wants to know how Australian workers' houses built by the Government are available at 19s 3d per week against 30s and upward here. One thing that stands out a mile, bricks can be purchased in Sydney for £3 10s per 1000 while £8 per 1000 is charged here. The above will account for some of the cost. E. A. Hastie.

: Sir, —To your correspondent "Puzzled" I would point out that at no time have 1 said, still less ''maintained," that the money provided for State housing is "costless:" The term "costless money" has been used by several correspondents, but not by me. All 1 bare averred is-that -the-, money used for State housing is not borrowed iiionev biit new " money, ' and since it costs * the tenant 2 per cent (which charge is credited to the general taxpaver) it can hardly be called costless. "Puzzled" says Government-built houses in Australia are available : at 19s 3d per week. Not. far from where 1 live is a group of State houses the rentals of -which range from 19s 6d to 32s 6d per week. If. as "Puzzled" say?, the money used for Government housing in Australia "has to meet the usual interest charges." then it is a safe bet the New Zealand tenant, rental for rental, is in a better type of house with, perhaps, more ground. J.C.