NEWS OF THE WEEK
ix. STRONG resolve that something large shall be done about housing, and shall be done quickly, is evident in both the Government and the public. The popular Press has taken up the cry. "It pays to house" might be the motto of those who have come in late but with much and welcome clamour. In all directions we hear and read of the slums as a" disgrace," a" scandal," a" horror" that must be ended once and for all. In the House of Commons on Tuesday Mr. Neville Chamberlain made the best speech he has yet made on the subject ; he was optimistic if only because he was confident of the strong, compelling powers which surround him on all sides. He has not to fight any real opposition. He has only to allow himself —though, of course, much skill will be needed even for this—to be carried along on the crest of a mighty wave. In his enthusiasm for Lord Weir's so-called steel houses he is consenting to the principle of emergency houses, though if all that is said in favour of the steel houses is true they will be of a very good and comfortable type if they have not indeed qualities of permanency. Further, he accepts the essential principle of education by Pub- licity and hopes to show the new houses all over the country in what will amount to a series of exhibitions.
