THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19239, 1 August 1924, Page 5

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

CONFERENCE IN THE TOWN HALL AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING A COMMITTEE APPOINTED. There was a largo and representative gathering present at a conference in tho Town Hall last night to discuss the housing question. Representatives were present from tho Duijedin City Council, Otago Hospital Board, the Otago Harbour Board, tho Otago Labour Council, the Women Citizens’ Association, the National Council of Women, the Builders’ Association, the Architects’ Association, and others, about 70 persons being present. The Mayor (Mb' EL L. Taploy), who presided, stated that ho was pleased to see, as tho outcome of an invitation sent out to local bodies, that there had been such a hearty response. Ho would mention that the meeting had been called by himself as the outcome of a letter received from the secretary of the Otasro Trades and Labour Council (Mr L. F. Evans), asking that tho question discussed at a meeting. He thought that as head of the Dunedin City Council ho had a right to let them know what the council was doing in the matter. He know that a number of people had become restive at the long delay, but he could assure them that the council had been in earnest over the question for a long timo. About four or five years ago the council purchased 46 sections at tho Marne settlement, above the Woodhaugh quarry. The drainage and roading had been put in, but a great deal of controversy had been rife over the position of the sections. Tenders had been called for the erection of tho buildings, but, owing to the high "rices, the project had to be postponed. It was recognised that the sections were unsuitable for workers’ dwellings, as a man receiving £3 or £4 per week, and with a wife and family to keep, could not, on top of that, pay tram fares. It was for this reason that the council thought it bettor to acquire land in the city, and thus avoid the necessity of asking workers to use the trams. That was the reason the Maori Hill sections had been left until the present time. Continuing, the Mayor said it would probably have been noticed that the council had decided to lease the sections by public tender.' There was no doubt that tho workers were willing to go to tho salubrious part of Maori Hill, and the council, by leasing the sections at reasonable prices—they would be leasehold sections—would enable them to put up buildings and negotiate for a mortgage over the section. Theae sections were to be put up to public tender forthwith, and if they could have 46 dwellings erected there it was going to relievo the housing shortage. Ifc was the object of the councij to have more houses provided in the city, but the question was one of supply and demand. One thing he would stress in the letting of houses, and it was; unfortunately, a matter which waa only too common. They were always encouraging the people to bring children into the world, yet landlords refused, to take in people with children, and gave preference to single men. A Voice: They should be deported. The Mayor went on to say that tho Government was carrying out the Advances to Settlers _ Act, but there had been so many applications that they were dealt with very slowly. In September last the City Council knew that applicants had been experiencing trouble in getting loans, and it applied to tho department for a loan of £IOO,OOO in order that it could advance money to those who wanted it. It was not until February, 1924, that the council received a loan, but it was then only £SOOO. In reply to inquiries, he had received a communication from the Hon. W. Downi© Stewart 1o the effect that it would bo some months before the, remainder of the loan could b© found owing to the thousands of applications already received. That was tho position regarding the council’s efforts in getting the morey. There were a number of applications in for loans, and tho "ourjcil intended to make a careful selection and give the advances to tho men. with the largest families. Apart from this, the City Council had appointed a sub-committee to go into the matter and report at the next meeting.

It waa probable that the conned would soon commence building operations on Shingle Reserve, between Clyde and Leith streets, where it was proposed to erect seven houses for letting at a reasonable rent. Plans of the class of house to bo built there passed round for inspection. This was a beginning, but the council intended going further. The question of housing was a difficult ono, and before tbe council could dart building at a price which would mean i. return, it would be necessary to place 'he matter before the ratepayers. The roponsibility would bo with them, and bo thought they would recognise the gravity of the position and do oil they could. There was then to be considered the people in the slum areas of Dunedin, and this was a burning question. He had visited an area in Cumberland street in company with Ensign Coombs, and the conditions there were indescribable. A man had died in one of the places which was absolutely filthy. It was the man’s own fault, but a system of inspection should be started —(applause)—and people found living under such conditions as he had witnessed should be taken away. The whole area visited must have been poisoned by the atmosphere of the places he saw. He quite understood that these people did not want to leave the onlj homes they had and go to some more suitable home, and it was not until some provision was made elsewhere that the slum houses could b© demolished, but the particular places he had seen should he pulled down. He thought that tenement houses in which the occupants could have one room each would bo ono way of meeting the position. They had a great difficulty before them, but if they could persuade the other local bodies to assist it would bo a good thing. He w-.is glad to see that the Harbour Board was going to build houses, and he thought the foreshore a suitable place. The Otago Hospital Board had a great deal to do with the poor, and he was of the opinion that it could also give a helping hand. In conclusion, Mr Tapley mentioned that the Auckland City Council had embarked on a housing scheme, and would hand over the houses at a small rental. It was sometiling after this stylo that was required in Dunedin. —(Loud applause.l Mr P. Nielson, president of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, said the Mayor had practically admitted the conditions which the Trades and Labour Council knew existed in this city. It was desirable that a committee should lie sot up to consider and carry out the City Council's scheme. He thought it desirable that the citizens should bo asked to sanction a loan of £IOO,OOO. The Trades and Labour Council believed with the Mayor that there were areas which could be secured for the purpose of building houses. He contended that the tramways should bo extended first, and houses would follow.—(Loud applause.) In this connection he instanced Island Bay, in Wellington, where the tramways had preceded building, and the scheme had been a pronounced success. It was in that respect that our Dunedin City Council had failed. —(Labour ‘‘Hoar, hears.”) With the erection of the Exhibition buildings, matters would not bo improved—in fact, the housing difficulty would bo greatly accentuated. Houses would have to bo pulled clown in connection with the Exhibition scheme which would otherwise bo available. This was not a local question;’ it was an international one.—(Applause.) The health of the community was so closely interwoven with the housing difficultv that they could not be dissociated. —(Applause.) Mr C. Moss asked if it wore possible for the municipality to raise money for the housing scheme. He recognised that i i n-, must have money as a moans to an end. The Mayor said the council could obtain money only by means of a poll. Mr. Moss said ho felt that the meeting that night was sincere in its endeavour to remedy the housing problem, and thus alleviate the prevailing distress. He moved— That this meeting, which was represen lative of the various public bodies in the city, considers that the time has arrived when the Municipal Council should raise a loan of £IOO,OOO to be used in conjunction with the £SOOO already promised by the Government, and in tne manner laid down in the scheme adopted by the City Council, and that a committee bo set up to deal with the matter forthwith. He contended that it was the duty of Jbe ffity Council to do everything possible to build homes for the people. He repotted to have to «% it, but the fact

remained that there was a section of the people of this city who were out to thwart the object which the Labour Party and others had in view. This section of tho community realised that the fewer the houses available tho greater the value of the existing homes in pounds, shillings, and pence. Unfortunately thov had a, Government in power whioh was not helping matters. There should be no difficulty in raising- a loan by a vote of the people. Mr H. V. Freeman seconded tho motion. Ho referred to tho Balmacewen settlement. He contended that tho reason this had been a failure was not so much from the point of view of tho value of tho sections as the class of architecture suggested. Tho cost of the foundations, too, was excessive. In some instances the foundations would require to have been from 10 feet to 15 feet high which meant that tho foundations would have run into one-third of tho total cost of house. Then there waa tho size of the rooms. No one wanted a 16ft room, A worker did not want a ballroom. Speaking as one who was associated with tho building trade, he know that the kitchen accommodation was one of the weak points of their present-nay architecture. The working man’s wife did not want a kitchenette; she wanted a good-sized’ room in which she could do her work. Another drawback of pvosent-day plans was the insufficiency of passageway accommodation. No woman cared to live in a house where she had to pass through one room to get lo another part of the house. He thought they should build at least 100 houses to start with.—(Applause.) Mr H. Maudono said he was speaking on behalf of the architects, who all recognised that the housing question was a grave one, especially for the man earning only £3 or £4 per week. Ho would like to know what areas were available for building on, and he agreed with tlie previous speaker that to do any good they would have to build at least 50 houses. With regard to the advance by tho Government, he did not know whether they would get the best results from such a course. Mr Moss; I rise to a point of order, sir. I want Mr Mandeno to realise that before we can got to tho matter of building wo must get tho money. The Mayor asked Mr Mandeno to keep to the point. Continuing, Mr Mandeno said it seemed to him futile to attempt to build unless tha houses could bo let at a low rental. In conclusion, he would say that the architects wore willing to assist even (o tho extent of contributing a building scheme, which would be handed over to the council to bo worked as thought fit.—(Applause.) Mr J. M’Donald, on behalf of the Otago Harbour Board, said it was recognised that the housing question was a serious one, and tho matter had been discussed by tho hoard. The trouble regarding the board’s sections on the foreshore was that it would be too expensive to build. The Harbour Board Act provided that the board could build for its own use. but ho would like to see it altered so that buildings could be erected for others. He suggested that they should get away from the continual cry of tho workers, and make it houses for the people.—(“ Hear, hoar.”) Tho £SOOO received by tho council was a, mere bagatelle, and not worth considering. He was surprised at the modesty of the resolution, and thought £IOO,OOO was little enough to ask for. The scheme proposed by Mr Moss did not appeal to him, and ho suggested that it was the people without money who should be assisted. He thought it would b© better to appoint a committee from among those present at the meeting, and he would bo glad to lay down a scheme. Nothing went so far or added so much to tho revenue of a city as the building of houses. He was sure everyone was in earnest, and would do something to help in the matter. Mr S. Boreham said he agreed with tho last speaker, and every person in tho city, whatever his position, should bo decently housed. The amount suggested in tho motion would not relieve the position, and they had to do something more to stop the aggravation. Every clay unfortunate people were reaching the dominion, and they came to places where there wore no houses, and they consequently became stranded. It waa these people thev had to assist. He submitted that tha houses being built at present wore not suitable for the working man, and suggested that before the meeting dispersed it should carry a resolution asking tho Government to defer the immigration policy imt.il matters improved. Mr F. Jones said ho agreed with Mr M‘Donald’s remarks, and would suggest that Mr Moss embody in his resolution the setting up of a committee from the meeting to go into the question and report, back to the council. They oould then deal with the financial question Mr Moss said that as far as ho was concerned ho only wanted to see something done. There were three ways of getting money—through the Government, tho City Council and by private enterprise. The question had been before them for five years. The town was lagging behind, and the council had been muddling the whole thing. Homes had been demolished and people herded together like cattle, and he wanted to see houses going up. Mr Boreham asked for a reply to the question asked. The Mayor requested Mr Moss not to make a speech, but lo state whether ho would alter his motion. Mr Moat said he would agree to do so, but it would bo under protest, for the simple reason that if they secured a loan of £IOO,OOO it would mean that something had been doiie._ As long as they put it off tho worse it would bo. Mr J. E. MaoManus said that in view of tho fact that all bodies were represented it was a question that concerned more than the City Council. The Charitable Aid Board was spending £53 in rents each week, and it was obvious that it would be possible to capitalise this. To relievo tho position it was essential that more houses should be built. Mrs Leech asked the Mayor on what conditions the suggested £IOO,OOO would be lent out. The Mayor said the idea was that the sum mentioned would be lent out on tho same terms as it was nroposer] to lend the £SOOO already promised. The borrower would find 5 per cent, and the Government would advance 95 per cent. The Mayor suggested that, a small committee should bo sot up. He did not think the motion moved b' r Mr Moss quite met the wishes of thoao present. After some further discussion Mr Jones said the committee’s hands should not be tied. A committee should be set up to consider the whole matter. In reply to the Mnvor, Mr Moss said ho < adhered to his motion. Mr S. Boreham then moved as an amendment ; “That a committee be set up from those present to consider the best means ‘ of dealing with the housing problem, with a view to making representations to the City Council ” This was seconded by Mrs Leech. Mr Moss said that if the committee as suggested by the mover of the amendment were sot up it. could only suggest, the means by whioh the money would be raised. Several of the proposals suggested would only cause delay. If £IOO,OOO could bo raised 140 homes could bo built, which would bo a help. Cr J. E. MacManus said that if the motion were carried it would not assist the people who could not help themselves The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was carried with a few dissentient voices. Tho amendment waa then put as the substantive motion, and was carried unanimously. The following committee waa then appointed in accordance with the motion: Mesdamcs Leech. Bulte. Tnnlcy. and Mayor, Misses Rnnciinnn and M'Carthv. and Messrs D. Larnach. P. Ncilson, .1. M'Donald. IT. Mandeno, T. Scott, W. E. S. Knight, K. Anseombe. C Moss, C. Anderson, F. Jones, and Major Burton. Mr Ansconihe suggested that representatives from the Manufacturers’ Association and tho Dunedin Uhamber of Commerce should be appointed. The Mayor said these bodies should be asked to nominate representatives to the committee. The meeting closed with tho customary vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and the com.init.tee hold a preliminary mooting. . A NOTE FOR TO DAY. MAKE SURE OF “ BAXTER'S.” .When making out to-day’s shopping list, bo sure to put Baxter’s Lung Preserver first. Whatever else you may forget, this great safeguard to health should not bo overlooked. Just now wben influenza is about, ‘ Baxter’s” should be in every homo, shop, factory, and office. Keep your bottle handy and take a dose at the first sign of cough or cold. Baxter’s Lung Preserver has been doing good for 58 years. It is unrivalled for easing sore chests, healing inflamed bronchial passages and stopping the tickling sensation that, so aggravates a cough. Its beneficial effects are felt after the first dose, and all traces of cough or cold quickly disappear. Pleasant to take, effective in all eases of bronchial trouble, and a real tonic to tho system. “Baxter’s” is just what, you want to keep you well and strong. Generous-sized bottle 2s 6d, from all chemists and atoaos; or, better still, get tha family size at 4s 6cl.—Advt,