PLEA FOR AGED PEOPLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19138, 6 October 1936, Page 5

PLEA FOR AGED PEOPLE

STATE HOUSING SCHEME PRIOR RIGHTS URGED GROUP PLAN SUBMITTED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The- importance of placing the needs of old-age pensioners in the forefront oi the Government's national housing scheme was emphasised by speakers at a conference between members ol the Legislature and representatives of religious and benevolent organisations, which was held to discuss the need for providing housing accommodation for oldage pensioners in Auckland. A tentative scheme for building houses in. blocks was submitted to the conference and a resolution was adopted urging upon the Government the necessity oi giving priority in the national housing scheme to providing suitable accommodation for old-age pensioners and others in similar circumstances, as they were the worst-housed class in the community.

The Hon. F. E. Lark. M.L.C., presided, and among those present were Mr. A. >G. Osborne, M.P., members of the Citv Council, representatives of the clergy, and a group of 40 old-age pensioners belonging to the old people s fellowship.

Mr. Lark said that not very much was wanted to force recognition of the rights of old-age pensioners* He could assure those present that the old people would have the first claims on attention and the work of the 'Prime Minister. GOVERNMENT ASSURANCE

The Government would make every effort as far as housing was eoneenied, and there need be no fear that tho old people would be left out. The Prime Minsiter and his Cabinet, and every member of Parliament, would guarantee to do their utmost to see that the old people would be guaranteed shelter for the rest of their lives.

A tentative scheme for a suitable group of houses, which had been submitted to the City Council, was outlined by Mr. E. Gill. He said the estimate was for 24 houses, built in blocks of three, with a small plot of ground for each house separate from a central common garden. A central building consisting of a hall and two common rooms for men and women, was also included. The total cost of building these 24 houses, with a central hall in permanent material and with three acres of land, in a convenient suburb would be £18,032. Assuming that 24 tenants could pay a rent of 10s a week each, there would be an annual revenue of £624, which would provide £270 as a sinking fund ol per cent and .£354 as a maintenance and management fund of nearly 2 per cent'.

“It is evident that such a scheme could not be carried out by an ordinary loan bearing interest,” said Air. Gill. ‘We submit that it is a most suitable use for national credit, free of interest, chargeable to the undertaking.”

Mr. Gill added that if one block was satisfactorily self-supporting, the scheme could be extended to any limit found possible.