DIFFERENTIAL RENTING [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I have
followed with interest the valuable correspon- dence in the Spectator concerning Children's Rent Allowances. My interest in the correspondence has been deepened by the fact that it is my pleasure to know your correspondents personally. Between the views of Mr. E. D. Simon and those advanced by Mr. Townroe and Mr. Hare there is undoubtedly a gulf. This is due, I think, to the fact that the former is looking to the immediate present and " hoping for the best in the future," and the latter are propounding a solution capable of immediate application, but making adequate provision for the future. In other words, Mr. Simon takes the single aspect of the slum problem, while Mr. Hare and Mr. Townroe deal with every aspect.
These three gentlemen are recognised experts, and when experts fall out I may perhaps intervene. I think Mr. Simon is unwittingly severe, and undoubtedly inaccurate, when he states that Mr. Hare and Mr. Townroe have " no alternative constructive policy." By pen and word their contribution to the problem during the last ten years has been considerable in its volume and solid in its proposals. They have, as I myself have, taken their stand by the Report of the Unhealthy Areas Committee, over which Mr. Neville Chamberlain presided hi 1921. One of 'the conclusions and recommendations of
that Committee was " that the development of self-contained garden cities either around an existing nucleus or on new sites should be encouraged and hastened by State assistance." The garden city or satellite town idea is the one constructive proposal which holds the field as a solution to the slum problem.
I think Mr. Simon would be inclined to agree with this upon consideration, particularly as the proposal is a recommendation of a Departmental Committee, and Mr. Simon is known to attach considerable importance to Royal Commissions and Departmental Committees. Children's rent allowances are not excluded from any garden city development ; in fact, as Mr. Simon himself has stated, the system is operating very successfully at Welwyn Garden City. Moreover, Welwyn and Letchworth have provided a large number of working-class houses to deal with the growing number of factories which are being established in those cities, and no insoluble difficulty has been experienced in housing the workers.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. T. PIKE, Secretary,
The Garden Cities and Town Planning Association.
3 Gray's Inn Place, Grays Inn, W .C. 1.
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