HOUSING SHORTAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 1, 12 October 1943, Page 2

HOUSING SHORTAGE.

HOMES FOR RETURNED MEN IN AUCKLAND. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, October 11. After an urgent appeal from the Auckland Returned Services’ Association to assist in securing homes for returned servicemen and their families the Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) stated to-day that he would be visiting Wellington to-morrow, and would place the position before the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). Mr Allum said that many cases of distress had come under his notice, and the city council was greatly concerned. A year ago definite proposals were advanced to provide small, temporary, war-time homes for necessitous cases. The project was to build on vacant city land under a scheme which would mean a financial loss to the council, and an appeal was made to the Government to share the loss. He regretted that the Government had not yet notified its decision. The position had been aggravated by the influx of skilled workers into the city. He considered that the provision of decent living conditions should be accorded equal urgency with other war-time priorities. One aspect which was particularly important was the effect of the present situation on the morale of the men returning from the war, added Mr Allum.