Help for the Workers.

The Opposition and Workmen's Homes.

When the Workers' Dwellings Bill was in Committee in the House the other day there was considerable discussion about the terms of payment on the part of those who wished to acquire the freehold of their homes. It was urged that the terms imposed by the Government were unreasonable, and could never have been submitted to actuarial investigation.

Mr. Massey moved that the amount of interest payable annually upon terms securing the freehold in thirty-two and forty-one years respectively should be reduced by 1 per cent.; that is, from 7 to 6 per cent. Mr. Seddon protested vehemently against the suggestion, declaring that if it was carried he would abandon the Bill, and upon a division Mr. Massey was beaten by 33 to 26. At a later date, however, Mr. Seddon recommitted the Bill and made the reduction he had so strenuously opposed.

It was decided to obtain the statement of a qualified accountant as to how much the tenants had gained by the reduction; and with this view the Bill, as introduced, and also as finally passed, was submitted to a practising accountant in Wellington. The question submitted was:—"Assuming that a dwelling costing £300 is erected upon a piece of land costing £50, how much will the tenant save by the amendments as compared with the original Bill?" The report states that under the thirty-two years' term the tenant has been saved £219 10s.; and under the forty-one years' system the tenant has absolutely been saved £349 8s. upon a total outlay of £350. Yet, when Mr. Massey moved the amendment, Mr. Seddon declared the reduction was impossible. It must be evident that, but for Mr. Massey, the reduction would not have been made.