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THE  HOUSING  QUESTION

105

Listen  to  the  sort  of  thing  that  electors  used  to
be  told  by  the  present  Coalition  Government:—
Minister  of  Reconstruction,  1918  :  "  One  of  our  greatest
and  most  urgent  tasks  after  the  war  will  be  to  secure  good  and
healthy  homes  for  all.”
Mr.  Lloyd  George  :  “  At  least  500,000  houses  are  needed  to
supply  the  legitimate  demands  for  housing  in  this  country,  quite
apart  from  the  great  question  of  dealing  with  slum  areas.”
Mr.  Lloyd  George,  May,  1920,  to  the  City  of  London:—
”  The  interests  of  public  health  and  humanity  are  at  stake.
.  .  .  Adequate  housing  will  ensure  happy  homes,  which  are  the
surest  guarantee  any  country  can  provide  against  agitation  and
unrest."
Mr.  Bonar  Law,  on  the  same  occasion:—
“  If  we  did  not  make  every  effort  to  improve  the  condition  of
the  people  we  would  have  a  sullen,  discontented  and  perhaps
angry  nation,  which  would  be  fatal  in  the  last  degree  to  trade,
industry  and  credit.”
Here,  then,  by  the  Government’s  own  confession,  is  a
principal  cause  of  the  disaster  which  has  overtaken
our  trade.  It  is  the  failure  of  the  Government  to  keep
faith  with  the  people  in  housing.
Here  is  an  extract  from  a  Ministry  of  Health  paper
advocating  Housing  Bonds,  in  March,  1920  :—
“  Do  You  Want  to  Feel  that  Your  Money  is  Doing  Good  ?
“  The  proceeds  of  Local  Bonds  will  be  used  for  construction
of  dwellings  to  remedy  the  appalling  social  conditions  due  to  the
overcrowding  caused  by  the  present  shortage  of  houses  for  the
working-classes.''