THE HOUSING QUESTION.
(To TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR "1 SIR,—AS evidence of the urgent need for greater housing accommodation, the letter, a copy of which I enclose herewith, may not be without interest to your readers. I give it as I received it. Apart from the address and signature of ray correspondent, not ono word has been withdrawn, added, or altered. It seems to me that the appeal made in this letter to one which is of more than private interest. It is of more than local interest. Records of this character, needs as touching and as urgent, must exist in all great centres of population; and I should be glad if this one might be made public in order that suggestions for the amelioration of the hard lot of these unhappy people might be forthcoming from your readers. In full sympathy though I ant with my correspondent's desire for decent housing for his children, I can only reply that I de not know how he is to obtain it.
Possibly there are districts, from width families lance migrated to munition-making areas, in which small houses are available. If there are such districts, something might be gained by having lists of them prepared together with a note of local industries and employers of labour. Something. too. might rapidly be accomplished if important centres of industry had a definite allocation of Army huts; and, possibly, better housing conditions than soy correspondent's might be obtainiel by a communal use of local barracks. These are suggestions merely. The subject requires the fattiest ventilation; fur tho science this evil is removed from our midst, the better will it be for the national life.-4 ant, Sir. Le., "Colonel Sir E. A. EROTHERTOM, Bart., M.P., Leeds.
tim,—May I respectfully ask if you could use your influence with the authorities in the following? I am a discharged (invalided) soldier, living at the above address near yam: works. I suffer front an incurable form of heart disease and neurasthenia, and am at present in receipt of 1110 per cent. treatment allowance. As I have four young children (girls), the eldest only seven, and my wife in bed with a newly born baby girl. ram particularly anxious to procure another house in which to bring my young fondly up in clean and move decent surroundings. 'Unfortunately they are terribly scarce. and I ant at a complete loss as to which way to act. This house is a very Imbealthy place for us all, and I only took it owing to chronic illness and consequent reduced circum- stanees. Still, Sir, I am noxious about my young children's health. and future welfare, and before my own inevitable fate overtakes me, I thought perhaps in such a ease of hard- ship as mite the authorities might final me a decent house, but do not know whom to communkate with. My own doctor advises removal to healthier surroundings. Landlords are reluctant to take tenants with children, end especially where. DM in my Own ease, the prospective tenant is an invalid with :to occupation. I tenet you will excuse Mix liberty, Sir, but any advice you might be able to give me. I should be very gratef tl for.—With apologies, Yours respectfully.
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