AUSTRALIA’S HOUSING PROBLEM

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3665, 29 October 1912, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S HOUSING PROBLEM

A SERIOUS MENACE

AVIIAT THE STATES MUST GIUITIYE WITH. t UY TELESKAF ..FECIAL COIIItESFON- r ) ENT] AUOKWAND, Oct. 26. The tremendous inilux of population to the principal cities of Australia during the past few years has caused a state of congestion which renders the housing problem one of grave concern.

The foregoing Remark was made to a "Star” reporter yesterday morning by Rev. Howard -Elliott, of the Alt. Eden Baptist Church upon his return from a tlireo months’ tour of Australia.

By way of illustrating his remark Mr Elliott mentioned that in Brisbane four years ago there was practically a house for everyone. To-day it was almost a usual thing for houses to bo shared. “One five-roomed house well-known to me,” said Mr Elliott, “which cost its owner £450, was four years ago let for 15s per week, while now a rental of 32s 6d Tier week is charged. Everywhere on the trams and boats the housing question is discussed and there can he no doubt that this is one of the great problems which faces the Government of the Australian States. It is considered possible now to grapple with it if taken in time, but if allowed to stand over for a few years slum conditions will be prevailing similar to those of London, with their attendant vice and hi oh death rates from the effects of consumption and other diseases.

“The suggestion is. made in some quarters that the states should restrict rents according to the capital values of residential properties and go in for systematic town-planning.” Mr Elliott mentioned that the attempt being made at Daeeyville. a few miles out of Sydney, on the North Shore railway line, to form a model suburb was being watched with keen interest, hut it did not appear at present as if the Minister for Labor, with all his good intentions, would succeed in building houses for rental at under 18s per week for sav five-room-ed places. They would have to pay interest on. the capital outlay.