WORKERS’ HOMES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1930, Page 8

WORKERS’ HOMES.

The statements made publicly in regard to the Slate advances for the erection of workers’ homes can scarcely be left unanswered by the Government. At all events if the allegations of loss are not refuted the public will be forced to conclude that they are true in substance and that there is no satisfactory explanation of the losses that have been experienced. The policy of giving State aid to wage-earners for the purposes of home making has had general approval. It has been supported by all the political parties, and though economists have warned the authorities of the danger of losses there has been a general feeling that the State was justified in taking a certain amount of risk. The advances were to enable workers to bring up their families in decent surroundings and in homes the payment for which would not be excessive and which would permit of ultimate ownership by the occupier. It was hoped by this means to overcome the housing shortage, which was one of the legacies of the war and thus prevent overcrowding and the creation of slums. The United Party has carried out ite promise to speed up loans for workers’ homes. It was unable to redeem its pledge to lend money for this purpose at a cheap rate of interest, but even political opponents admitted that a successful endeavour had been made to deal with anplications for loans within

a reasonable time. It is now asserted that zeal lor its policy ha,s betrayed the Ministry into granting loans without a sufficient margin of security, and that many houses have been thrown back upon the hands of the lender. Such a statement demands an equally explicit reply from the Minister responsible. Parliament should be told the exact position, the total amount on loan, the rate of repayment, the losses made, if any, ami the method being applied to prevent further mistakes being made. Such information can hardly be called contentious, and there is no apparent reason why it should not be made availaide within a few days.