TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 25th SEPTEMBER, 1936. FARM WORKERS’ COTTAGES.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3813, 25 September 1936, Page 6

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 25th SEPTEMBER, 1936. FARM WORKERS’ COTTAGES.

AN important section of the Government’s housing plan has been recently made known to the Farmers’ Union, and it is one which should offer a valuable channel for relief from problems surrounding the availability of farm labour. The proposition relies on an assumption that a more adequate supply* of farm labour would be assured if housing could be provided. This appears to be no idle theory; on the contrary, it is a very practical consideration. Reasonable and adequate housing conditions would in a large measure attract the better type of farm worker. Therefore suggestion is now made that if the Government offered to advance cheap money and a subsidy for the erection by farmers of farm dwellings, having attached thereto a sufficient area of ground for vegetable garden and normal recreation, a housing condition in the country, comparable with that available in the towns, would remove one handicap from the rural district. The idea is that the dwelling would be let to the farm worker at a rental which would cover the net capital cost at interest equivalent to that charged by the Government, including maintenance, but allowing for no profit whatsoever. Thus, in an abstract way”, there is revealed the prospect of the farmer sponsoring finance terms to secure housing as an aid to the solution of his labour problems. It is fair to suppose that the indirect advantages which accrue to the farmer more than offset any profit considerations, and that his part in the transaction will be fully rewarded by the participation in a scheme of national housing. Naturally, of course, many details must arise, but there should be no real barrier in the way of suitable arrangements being concluded to meet every particular circumstance. In a broad way, as a part of national policy, the outline scheme certainly commends itself. At rock-bottom is the Government supply of cheap money; also in the system is the possibility of individual houses sharing in a grouped scheme for whatever benefits accrue from large-scale purchasing. These are fundamental advantages. It should be readily possible to negotiate the terms of the advance and to arrive at a rental value which accurately assesses all interest, sinking fund, and overhead charges without profit. These details arranged, negotiation should then be easy. Further inquiry and fuller details are desirable, and Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union might to good account seek all necessary particulars so as to incorporate housing as a part of whatever arrangements are contemplated to meet the farm-labour problems in this neighbourhood.