[?]Mplicate

[?]Na Wage Scales

[?]Using Problem

VA’S fast-growing housing problem is complicated by the fact that the average wage paid nskilled labour is about 50/- a c. lis means, according to a re prepared by a sub-committee lie Chamber of Commerce, that maximum economic rent for a urer is 12/6 a week, representing on £4OO capital expenditure. iven a floor area of 400 sq. ft as minimum accommodation for a ily of four, the minimum esti sd cost of such a building is , excluding land, reading, fenc and services. And the all-in nate for a single unit is £l,OOO. nee the Suva city area was ex ed to include almost the whole uva Peninsula, the situation has . complicated by the increased olition of slum premises (PIM, 1). The sub-committee’s re mentions that more than 300 tional houses in the city are duled for demolition in the • future, and points out that housing scheme which provided 'ewer than 500 family units (at >st of at least £500,000) would ■ little or no effect on the lem. le report states: “The policy of entrating all labour in one pound is to be deprecated. It is desirable that men who work flier by day should be compelled ve in close proximity. Such a nunity would be very suscept to labour agitators.” le relationship between land and tenant should be separate l that between employer and loyee, and the mixing of various s in one compound is also very ?sirable, the report continues, lestions of education, sanitation recreation would have to be d, and effective adminstration d be difficult and costly. le sub-committee, of which Mr.

I. Marlow is chairman, claims if rents had to be subsidised subsidy would be likely to up [he balance of wage scales be ;n subsidised and unsubsidised ters, and adds that the Suva >ing problem is a matter of ic policy which can be handled by the Government or the city lorities. r. G. J. Horsfall, Judicial Com moner at Honiara, and Mrs. sfall, left Sydney late in March >pend several months vacation l relatives and friends in the :ed States.