Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 July 1934
Conisboro’ U.D.C.
Cheaper Houses
For Those On Public Assistance
Against Training Camps
Mr. T. J. Gregory presided at the monthly meeting of the Conisboro’ Urban Council on Wednesday.
A letter was received from the Rawmarsh R.D.C. asking for support for a resolution that in view of the overcrowding which still existed in their area they noted with alarm that private enterprise had failed to build houses under the 1933 Housing Act which could be let to the working-class at reasonable rents, and urged the Government to give financial assistance for the building of houses at rents which the working classes could afford to pay.
The Clerk (Mr. Spencer Baker) said he had done a great deal in a private way to get schemes operating under this Act, and it was very difficult.
Mr. Ben Roberts said that in Conisboro’ and many other districts there was a great need of houses. He wondered if they could do any good by writing the County Council. The Public Assistance Committee had to allow a certain amount for rent, and he thought it would be money well spent if the County Council built small houses for people on public assistance. He moved that the County Council be asked to consider taking this course, as they thought it would be a saving of ratepayers’ money.
The Clerk: The obstacle in the way of the County Council is the same. The subsidy has been withdrawn.
Mr. J. T. E. Collins seconded.
The Clerk: If we passed a resolution of that sort and sent it to the County Council it would be simply inviting a rebuff. They have no more power than we have; not so much. We are the housing authority and it is our duty to fill the gap left by private enterprise. What has been done by private enterprise has been limited up to the present almost entirely to houses built to sell. They have had to have added inducements to build houses to let. If with our financial resources we cannot build these houses how can the private contractor do it, unless he reduces the size and quality? That is what happens in practice.
Mr. Roberts: The resolution will at least show that we are as much alive as others. It will show we understand the need. It is necessary to have houses and it is necessary to make a move.
The resolution was carried.
Training Camps
Mr. Collins referred to the Council’s demand earlier in the year for the withdrawal of the Unemployment Insurance Bill. Unfortunately their protests had been unsuccessful, and the Bill was now on the Statute Book. A part of the Bill concerned those who might be called upon to go to training camps to do work for about 3s. a week for which ordinary workmen might receive trade union rates of wages. Assuming that the Act operated, it would mean in the opinion of some of them that young men in particular would be liable to be called on to do work which otherwise would be done by men employed at trade union rates. In view of this “pernicious” aspect he moved that the Conisboro’ Council should do all it could within the limits of its power to obstruct the operation of the Act, and instruct their representatives on the guardians’ committee to pay full scale of relief to workers who refused to go to training camps. The Conisboro’ Council would only support the employment of workers at full trade union rates and conditions.
Mr. Roberts, seconding, said those who passed the Bill were taking advantage of men who were down.
Mr. R. Troughton said he was in sympathy with the resolution, but in the event of the guardians being surcharged he would like to know who was going to pay the surcharge.
Mr. Roberts said that question would probably not arise, as it was hoped the training camps would never become effective.
Mr. T. Shepherd, a member of the guardians’ committee, said they would do all they could, but it was one thing asking papers and another question whether the County Council would pay the money.
Baths
Mr. G. A. Chadfield said a representative of the County Council had been down to inspect the baths and had said the water was as good as he expected. He had praised the way the baths attendant was teaching children to swim.
Mr. J. Webster seconded and remarked that the water in the baths was certainly cleaner than the river, but he would like to see it cleaner yet.
A Cool Spot
A good deal of amusement was caused when the minutes of the Library Committee were up for confirmation, when Mr. T. Shepherd stated that the library attendant at Denaby was complaining of the cold in his room. He had to sit between two doors and was troubled by draughts. He had asked whether an electric radiator could not be provided.
It was reported that the Yorkshire County Amusement Federation’s quarterly meeting was to be held in the Denaby Miners’ Welfare Institute on Aug. 11th. The Council’s next monthly meeting will be held in September.
The Fullerton Hospital Demonstration Committee wrote inviting the Council to their annual demonstration on Sunday.