DOMINION HOUSING

Southland Times, Issue 23376, 7 December 1937, Page 7

DOMINION HOUSING

ENGLISH M.P.S VIEW

LONDON, November 10.

Although pleased with New Zealand housing conditions in the cities, Mr Arthur Henderson, an English Labour M.P., who has just returned from a visit to the Dominion, considers housing in some country areas is backward, and will have to be given attention.

He inspected a number of the new workers’ homes being built by the Government, and thought them excellent; but thought 25/- a week was too high a rent for a working man to pay. In England 10/- was a more usual amount, he said. “New Zealand will have to face up to the population question,” he added. “There is room for more people. I realize there are economic difficulties, and that it is not merely a question of transportation, but the problem must be tackled. In the case of the agriculturial industry it seems little use sending people out without adequate financial backing, but I think something could be done to develop secondary industries further.” Mr Henderson said he was impressed with New Zealand newspapers. Every town, no matter how small, seemed to have its own paper, and most of them were of quite a high standard. He thought the hotels were excellent, and the food comparable with that obtainable anywhere. The people, too, impressed him very much, and he was pleased to hear the high standard of English spoken by all classes, especially in the cities. He greatly admired the Labour Government’s achievements, especially as regards the 40-hour week and the fixing of prices for dairy produce. In transport, too, notable advances were being made. The Government’s social and economic experiments were being watched with great interest, and if they were a success they would have an influence on other countries. The Government had shown great courage and statesmanship in the attitude it had adopted toward international questions. The responsibility for the present ineffectiveness of the League of Nations could certainly not be laid at New Zealand’s door.