HOUSES FOR FARM WORKERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 6

HOUSES FOR FARM WORKERS

SHORTAGE IN RURAL TOWNSHIPS GERALDINE FARMERS’ PROPOSAL A decision to forward a remit (proposed by Messrs W. S. Crotty and H. Coulter), to the Provincial Executive urging that the Government be asked to secure small sections in rural townships, on which to build wooden houses which could be let at a reasonable rental to farm workers, was made at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine Branch of the Farmers’ Union on Friday evening. The matter arose when a letter was read from the secretary of the South Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, who advised that the question of enlisting the support of the Government for the erection of houses in townships had been discussed. It had been decided to refer the matter back to the branches for their consideration. The secretary (Mr P. G. Withers, junr.), said that a Geraldine house agent reported that there had been a very definite shortage of suitable houses for rental in Geraldine for some time. The matter had been brought up originally at a meeting of the South Canterbury Executive, when it had been suggested that as the Governm nt was spending so much on erecting houses in the towns, some cf that money should be diverted to the rural centres where but few workers’ homes were erected. In many of the smaller towns some of the houses should have been condemned long ago. The president (Mr G. Wooding): Young men can get houses in the towns which induce them to leave the country. Mr M. McColl: It would be a good idea if we could get some Government houses built at a cheaper rental. Those which have been erected are too costly for anyone but a Government official to rent. The president: We should urge construction of houses in the rural towns which are near the farm workers’ places of employment. Mr R. A. Bruce: It is no use building houses in the country unless there is a “picture show and a pub.” (Laughter). Mr R. E. Mcllwrick suggested that the remit should ask the Government to supply money to farmers to erect workers' houses on a 1 mg term mortgage at reasonable interest. The president: The Government would not erect dwellings on land which was held under a mortgage. Mr H. Mallinson remarked that he thought that Mr Mcllwrick’s suggestion was a good one. Mr W. S. Crotty: It vould be all right if the houses were built on State farms. The secretary (Mr P. G. Withers): Yes; it could be done on Government farms. . Messrs W. S. Crotty and H. Coulter then proposed the remit as indicated in the opening paragraph. Mi R. A. Bruce: What has happened to these Government sections? There is a piece at Kakahu and a number cf little sections at Hilton and Belfield. Are they still held by chc Government? Mr C. W. Lynn: No, not in most cases. There were about 10 Government sections at Te Moana, but they have been taken over. Mr H. Coulter: We cannot expect to get farm labour until we get accommodation for them. There has been much calk about the lack of provision of dwellings for farm workers. The president: The country worker has just as much right to expect decent accommodation as the town resident !