The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1919. THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1919. THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

That the problem of finding houses for the people is becoming so acute as to need urgent treatment is apparent from the rapidly growing number of the homeless in almost every city, and town in the Dominion, While the evil forces itself upon our notice, the remedy is beset with difficulties which are also increasing day by day. Owing to the largely increased cost of labor and material there has been an abandonment of operations by the speculative builder, and few people are in a position to erect houses for themselves. Now that our soldiers are returning in such large numbers, some of them with wives and young families, and others incapacitated from work on the land, the congestion in the towns and cities is becoming intolerable. There are not enough dwellings to cope with the demand, consequent ly much suffering and hardship is entailed, especially upon the poorer classes, including the widows and families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice during the war. Even the offer of premiums for securing any sort of dwelling fails to meet with success, while the payment of a deposit for purchase is now almost hopeless, as the amount asked is I beyond the means of the applicants. The problem has passed beyond the local stage, and become one of national urgency. Possibly the recognition of this fact may prove of great advantage, inasmuch as Government action must be taken, and that should mean a decided improvement in the sanitation and environment of the masses. One striking fact is noticeable, namely, that although rents of'the smaller class of dwellings have risen abnormally, yet the main point is not the rent, but the inability to obtain a house at all. Apparently there is no alternative for the Government but to propound a scheme on a sound, businesslike basis that will remedy this evil, promptly and effectively. It appears to be recognised that, houses built of timber and iron are almost out of the question, and that concrete must be the material used. That phase of the question is of itself a progressive move, but ■ it is obvious that a certain quantity" of timber will be required. It is equally cleai that to pay the present prices for timber would make cottages far too costly. This can be avoided by the Government utilising some of the many mil- ' lion feet of timber not yet disI posed of, which could be milled and transported on light railways,

carried at a cheap rate by the finished lines, and brought to the required locality ready for use. By providing for the haulage of gravel and cement the same way, and standardising the block ' frames, also utilising machinery for mixing the concrete, a considerable number of houses could be erected in any given locality under the supervision of an expert, it being only necessary to provide unskilled labor for building the walls. The doors, sashes and all other woodwork could be prepared by men working under the State, the latest and most 'efficient machinery being employed, so that the structures when finished vonld entail a minimum of expenditure, the ground on which the houses are placed being acquired by the State on the lowest possible terms. Wherever possible it would be wise to encourage the man desirous of acquiring a cottage to work on it himself during his own time, and either be paid therefor at ordinary rates or the value of his work set against the purchase money of the property. There would seem to be a great advantage in erecting workers' homes in communities, and where this is done it should be possible to provide a general laundry and recreation ground, also a constant supply of hot and cold water for the dwellings. With regard to the payments for extinguishing capital expenditure and interest, it is generally considered that these should be monthly instalments, special provision being made out of a contingency fund for meeting any emergency that may arise preventing a temporary continuance of the payments. It is obvious that in this scheme the Government must take the initiative. It would also be possible for the municipal authorities to assist the Government by the loan of concrete mixers and other appliances, it being to the advantage of every municipality to have the workers well housed. ' No two houses need have the same appearance, as it would be quite possible to secure endless variety by means of a few finishing touches. It is not only the workers, but those engaged in others occupations, who' need to be provided for in houses, but the scheme could be so arranged as to include dwellings of two or more rooms. This plan would not prevent those with sufficient capital building for themselves, but it would meet present and future requirements. There may be other ways of dealing with the matter; if so, they should be used. It is one of extreme urgency. Action is needed, and that is what must be taken if serious consequences are to be averted.