CARTOON - SLUMDOM

In the early 1920s Perth along with many other Australian capital cities were suffering from rising commercial and domestic rents, particularly in areas close to the city centres. Landlords would nor only raise rents but also over charge tenants for the furniture.
Unions and community organisations campaigned against the rising cost of living which included rents.
On 3 August 1923 a public meeting was held at the Perth Town Hall by the National Council of Women and included councillors and Mayor of the City of Perth. The meeting discussed issues of overcrowding in domestic dwellings caused by a shortage of housing. Mrs J Cown MLA read a letter from Dr Roberta Jull about the health concerns overcrowding raised. Other issues raised was the cost of materials to build new houses.
In early August 1923 Thomas John 'Driver' Hughes MLA the Labor member for East Perth raised in parliament the need for government intervention regarding rent control and the introduction of a fair rent court. The government did not support the move and when Mr Hughes introduced the Control of Rents Bill in September of that year it was defeated by only one vote.
Ben Strange was also concerned about the rising cost of living and its effects on the community, though in his case it was the threat of communism and how forcing people to live in 'slum' conditions would push people towards Bolshevism which he believed was a threat to society.