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The Bill proposes to allow Government money to be advanced
at a low rate of interest, say, three and a half per cent., to authorised
societies up to two-thirds of the amount required ; with twothirds
of the capital required thus provided at a low rate of interest
better terms could be offered by the societies to the purchasing
tenant than at present. The society would be an intermediary
between the purchasing owner and the State. Its active interest
would be engaged by requiring that one-third of the capital
necessary should be found by the society; and, in addition, it
would have to be authorised by the Local Government Board.
Regulations would also be made requiring societies who obtained
a loan to make proper provision for safeguarding the interest of
purchasing owners, who would be in the position of mortgagors,
while, at the same time, preventing the machinery of the Bill
from being exploited by speculative builders.
(3) The Small Dwellings Acquisition Act of 1899 was passed
with a view of encouraging local authorities to assist artisans
to purchase their own houses. Very little use has, however, been
made of its provisions. The Bill, therefore, proposes, to relax
some of these provisions with a view to encouraging local authorities
to set the Act in operation.
Cottage Homes for Aged Persons Bill.
A Bill to facilitate the provision of Cottage Homes for Aged Persons.
The object of this Bill is to facilitate the provision of homes for old
people over 65. It is intended chiefly to be operative in rural parishes
where difficulty arises in finding comfortable and respectable accommodation
for old agricultural labourers and other working folk of advanced
age. The Bill enables a council to erect cottage homes where sites for that
purpose are given to them. It proceeds on the principle of co-operation
between the local authority and landowners or other private presons to
provide homes in the locality for those who have spent many years of
their lives in working in the district, and in this way to enable old people
to pass their later years in comfortable homes and familiar surroundings.
It limits the sum which may be expended out of the rates, and permits
a small rent to be charged.
All taint of pauperisation is thus avoided, and the charge thrown on
the rates will be extremely small, but the power of incurring this small
charge will enable the desired object to be attained.
The Bill is adoptive, and not compulsory.