SLUM CLEARANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19312, 30 April 1937, Page 12

SLUM CLEARANCE

■ WORK IN GREAT BRITAIN AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSED SYDNEY, y April 20. i Alderman • A. N. Campbell, who is u representative of Leichhardt Municipal Council on the Housing) Council, during his recent trip abroad made a close investigation into sluin-clearing schemes in Great Britain and other countries. He said that he considered the shun clearing projects of England and Scotland were among the finest in the world. The local governing.bodies were practically compelled to clear away the slums ill their areas, and with subsidies received from the Government they erected blocks of flats for the people. The Gov eminent advi need money to the councils id, a very low rate of interest, tenders were called for building, and when the Hats were completed, slum •dwellers wengiven preference in renting them. The rents varied according to the she of flats, from 4s Cd a week upwards. The 4s 6d flats were principally for bachelors or spinsters, and consisted of a bedroom ami sitting-room combined, with kitchen and scullery, and a bath room for every four tenants. Families were provided with two bedrooms, a k I chen and scullery combined, and a bathroom for each familv. For this class t I residence the rents ranged from 5s Gil 1" Gs 6d a week. In one Scottish citv the highest rent was 8s 3d a week—for three bedroom;., kiteheii and scullery combined, and bathroom. , The rents were collected by the councils, and were applied to payment of interest and repayment of principal. Every six months an adjustment of principal' was made, and the deficiency was made up by the Government. None of the slum-clearing schemes was self-sup-norting, said Alderman Campbell, ami the deficiency was made a charge on the community generally.