HOUSING SCHEME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 28, 14 November 1935, Page 3

HOUSING SCHEME

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. AVOIDING JERRY-BUILDING. ‘ f (Per Press Association.) DARGAVILLE‘, Nov. 13. Details of the Government’s ‘housing policy were explained to-day by the Minister for Finance (the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates) in election speeches in the Kaiparal electorate. Housing surveys, which were a. necessary preliminary to a wellordered plan, were already provided for by legislation, Mr Coates said, and the full programme soon to 'be' in—augurated would: improve the‘ dwell: ing accommodation of the people, over—come the existing housing shortage, and ,give a decided stimulus to employment in numerous trades. “In Britain recently _I was greatly impressed by the cheap-ness with which good homes could be erected,” Mr Coates said. “Schemes in various parts of -the United Kingdom show that full advantage has been taken of standardisation and mass production, without sacrificing flexibility of . design. The Government aims at basing its housing scheme on these principles, using every device to reduce costs by standardised production and assembly. “It will also be necessary- to ensure satisfactory standards to guard against speculative increases in the‘ cost of materials. Every care will be taken to avoid jerry-building and faulty construction. Past ex—perience shows that these are very real dangers in times of building activity. "‘A further important question affecting costs is finance. The Government aim is to co—operate fully with local authorities and private enterprise rather than construct State houses for State tenants or mortgagors. Generally the 'Govern—ment will strengthen the position of building societies . by arranging grouping in a co-operative association,‘ with the right to issue bends to the public. It will also provide'for the establishment of housing associations along the lines of those which have proved so successful in Britain. These associations differ from building societies, in that they become the owners of the dwellings, which they let to the tenants, whereas the "societies are financial institutions. Financial aid will also be given local authorities. \ “The proposals are all - calculated to enable full advantage to be taken of the low interest rates which have resulted from the general financial policy of the last few years. Before ‘eompleting the arrangements, the Government will give ample opportunity for public discussion and. constructive suggestions.” '