14 NOVEMBER 1931, Page 13

Mr. Chamberlain stresses the wisdom of reconditioning rather than rebuilding,

where possible. Quite apart from the question of economy, any rural housing policy to be worthy of the name must include, as one of its essential aims, the preservation of cottages which are not only beautiful in themselves, but serve to perpetuate the character and ancient traditions of the countryside. The Act of 1926 offers a fascinating opportunity to owners of such cottages and to their architects of modernizing the accommodation of the rural workers without sacrificing the old-world charm of the English villages." The delightfully contrasted photographs of cottages before and after reconstruction and reconditioning are a most persuasive sermon in stone and brick.

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