WORKERS’ DWELLINGS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2503, 17 May 1909, Page 6

WORKERS’ DWELLINGS

DEPUTATION TO HON. II

McKenzie

A deputation from the East! Coast Trades and Labor Council waited on the. Hon.. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, on Saturday evening, -with a request that ho would assist them in an effort, to have workmens cottages erected in Gisborne by the Government. The deputation was introduced to the Minister by the Hon. Jus. Carroll. , ~ Mr J. H. Hall spc&e of the scarcity of suitable houses in Gisborne for workfuc/ men, and the high rents charged Tot them. Ho- instanced several eases where, this necessitated two families Eying under the same roof, and said that .several of the houses were not ot such a nature as to lend beauty and enchantment to the scene. these houses were owned by prominent men in ' the district. He urged upon the Minister the advisability of erecting workers’ dwellings in Gisborne, and suggested that they bo of such a nature that no two would be similar. Hon. 11. McKenzie: Tou must understand we do not go in for any ornamental architecture. . Mr. M. G Nasmitli, junr.. also spoke. . He referred to the exorbitant rents existing in Gisborne, and saul that they were not entering upon. tin; nuestion merely as unionists, but considered it as a matter of interest to all the workers of the district. He suggested the erection of suitable cottages outside the town, with acre sections, say at Makaraka and Makaun, and the alteration of the railway time-table to allow the workers to reach town in time for their employment. Mr. J. Scott also urged upon the Minister the dire necessity for the erection of the cottages. Ihey did “J" want ornamental houses, but utility combined with comfort. In replying, the Minister stated that the Government had already built large numbers of workmen’s homes in different parts of the Dominion, but tuo experience had been that woikmen would not take to them, and as a result they had to be let- at a very lon rental. "He could see no good reason why rents should be so high m Gisborne, and there was certainly twenty of land on which to build cottages. He did not want them to look on the Government as philanthropists, as they wanted a fair return for any money expended, and when they did erect workers’ dwellings they built plain, comfortable houses for working men. If the workers wanted dwellings or an elaborate style of architecture, they should not approach the Government but] rather go to loan and mortgage companies. Ho cduld not agree with the suggestion of building houses three or four miles out of town, and the railway time-table could not he altered lor rt few individuals. He could not say that the deputation had not made out a good case for the erection of workmen’s houses in,, Gisborne, but if they could satisfy the Minister for Labor, or him, that the Government would get a reasonable, return, he liad v .no doubt that a few might be built as an experiment. He was 'of the opinion that 8s pier week was quite enough rent for any working man to pay. He would refer their request to the Minister for Labor, and w:i9 quite willing to recommend to his colleague that a few houses should be built as an experiment on land within a mile or so from the Post Office, at a cost not to exceed C 350 and to be lot .at 8s weekly. Tlio Hon. Ja3. Carroll said that it was not bo much a question of details :e) of the- importance of the request. Rents were high, and labor was increasing, and they would be grateful if any assistance could be given to alleviate the high pressure at present being experienced in Gisborne. He referred to the East Coast Trades and Labor Council as a body which takes a keen and lively interest in all matters relating.to the benefit of the community at large. The deputation then withdrew, having thanked the Minister for his favorable reply to their request, and congratulated him on his preferment. Mr. McKenzie remarked that the workers ■of the Dominion were treated more liberally by the- Government than those of anv other country in the world.