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THE  HOUSING  QUESTION

People  sometimes  have  the  idea  that  more  cottages
are  not  wanted  in  the  country,  and  that  the  existing
ones  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  “  How  pretty"
they  say,  as  they  fly  past  in  a  car.  “  Do  look  at  those
roses  on  that  cottage.”  But  it  is  not  the  roses
which  matter;  it  is  the  drains,  and  it  is  as  well  not  to
look  at  those—if  there  are  any.
It  is  only  God’s  air  and  sunlight  which  saves  the
countryside  from  epidemics  as  serious  as  any  in  the
slums.  The  rural  labourer  knows  this  and  he  is  not
content.

FIFTH  EXCUSE
That  the  Working  Classes  cannot  Afford  to  Pay
the  Rent
The  present  Minister  of  Health  is  the  principal  propagator ­
  of  this  excuse,  which  is  very  widely  held.  Let
us  quote  from  his  speech  to  the  House  of  Commons
on  July  2  ist,  1921  :—
"  The  Chairman  of  a  Housing  Committee,  full  of  enthusiasm,
and  the  Medical  Officer  of  Health  come  and  talk  to  me  about
the  vast  number  of  houses  required,  whilst  the  Chairman  of  the
Finance  Committee  and  other  officers  of  the  Corporation  assure
me  that  if  you  build  these  houses  there  is  not  the  slightest  likelihood
of  their  ever  being  let.”
Again:—
"  There  has  been  a  trade  depression  and  people  who  entered
themselves  as  applicants  for  these  houses  are  now  not  so  anxious
to  take  them.  Unfortunately  a  great  many  cannot  afford  to
take  them.”