THE HOUSING BILL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16608, 4 December 1919, Page 6

THE HOUSING BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Some time ago there Appeared in your paper an article condemning a Labour M.P. for his audacity to speak against a Bill enabling companies or employers to borrow money from the Government to build houses for their employees. Of course, as per usual, you only quote what is likely to throw dust in the workers’ eyes; but, getting down to bedrocic facts, what does it mean? It means this, that the State, that is ourselves, provides the money and the employer becomes the landlord. It is not sufficient for these companies, etc., that they shoulcl own and control us on the job, but tho Government must needs give them the opportunity,the expense of tho nation, to own us in our homos as well. This means the the sapping of a man’s independence as soon as no enters one of those State-owned eniployer-landlorded cottages. It stands to reason that if a worker strikes or refuses to work overtime when asked, or kicks against disagreeable conditions, out he will go, and his family will be homeless. It matters not what the boss may ask, tho worker who is living in ono of these houses will never dare to call his soul his own, and so for fear of being homeless will allow the boss to bind tho shackles not only on his hands and feet but on his tongue and brain. Ho will not be allowed to opeak ns ho likes, he will not he expected to think as he likes. 1 His not to reason why: His but to work and die. Workers, wake up!—l am, etc., F. JULIAN. [We don’t remember tho article referred to, but it would bo futile to argue with one who holds the views expressed by our correspondent.—Ed., T.H.]