HOUSES FOR WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1920, Page 4

HOUSES FOR WORKERS.

DEADLOCK W NEW PLYMOUTH. NO TENDERS ACCEPTED. Tho present position regarding the erection of workers' dwellings in New Plymouth was explained to a Daily News reporter last evening by the Deputy Housing Superintendent, Mr. H. E, Moston, who is on a visit to New Plymouth. The only offer from contractors in New Plymouth was one received for the erection of buildings on a percentage basis. Actually the Department invited tenders at a fixed price, and though the offer in question was really an invalid one, it was considered, the desire being to lot tenders.if possible. It Was not accepted, however. Tenders generally, throughout the Dominion, said Mr. Meston, were too high. There were one or two exceptions in the cases of small towns on the Main Trunk line. "We are anxious to get on with the building," he said, "as we realise the :>f-nte position in New Plymouth, but we cannnt accept tenders beyond the reach of the worker." In view of the inability to let tenders the Labor Department haa made certain proposals to the Government, concerning which there is no information available at present. A statement in the House of Representatives on the whole question may be anticipated at any time now. A matter that is engaging the attention of the Deputy Superintendent during his stay in New Plymouth is the acquisition of further land on which to erect dwellings.. The Department has several offers, but nothing definite has been arrived at. Tho number of dwellings to be erected at New Plymouth is at present set down at SS.