GOOD PROGRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 272, 29 August 1946, Page 4

GOOD PROGRESS

REHABILITATION EFFORTS IN ASHBURTON HOUSING NEED PARAMOUNT "" . | General satisfaction with the work of rehabilitation in the district was expressed at the quarterly meeting of the Ashburton R.S.A., fast evening, but there was also some criticism of housing delays. Reference was made to the suggested building of a new theatre, and also a stand at the racecourse, but it was finally agreed to leave any action in the hands of the executive. The subject was brought up by a special report presented to the meeting by Mr W. G. Welsh, the association’s representative on the local Rehabilitation Committee. Before quoting figures, Mr Welsh paid a very warm tribute to the work of the other members of the committee, pointingout that all gave a great deal of time to it. All applications were most carefully considered, and every possible investigation made /‘lt is one of the best committees in the country,” he added, “and I think that every returned man in the district has had a fair go.” i Since the beginning of the committee’s work, pointed out Mr Welsh, over 2300 ex-servicemen and women had been recorded in the district, and the number registered on July 31 last was 1004, made up as follows:. —Returned men 1234, returned women 13, homeservicemen v 379, liomeservicewomen 38.

“On the same date,” continued Mr Welsh, “there were 85 men who were graded A for farm settlement. Of these, however, over half already have farms in view, require additional small loans for properties they already own, or do not wish to settle; for two or more years, leaving approximately 30 to 40\awaiting immediate settlement. At that date 23 men were undertaking training with farmers in this district.”

Position of Housing

What he described as the “great bone of contention to all committees,” the subject of housing, was then referred to by«Mr . Welsh. “At July 31,” he said, “the committee had allocated 12 State houses to ex-servicemen, and 55 house loans had been granted, with a further eight loans offered but the transactions not yet completed. “The housing position is probably worse in Ashburton than in larger centres,” he continued, “because the general housing shortage is aggravated by the fact that there is comparatively little movement in population, and also because there are no large blocks of flats here, as in the cities, and no transit housing centre. “There is a constant and unsatisfied demand by ex-servicemen for dwellings to buy. or rent, and for flats,” pointed out Mr Welsh, “a position which is reflected in tire fact that there are at present 46 ex-service-men applicants for State rental houses. Many of these are of long standing and most can be classed as very urgent.” Mr Welsh commented that a property register was maintained in the local Rehabilitation Office and the R.S.A., but the response of people willing to sell or let to ex-servicemen had been most disappointing. The speaker went on to point out that loans granted by the commtitee for all purposes up to July 31 last amounted to £327,301, of which £279,268 was granted in the 12 months prior to that date. The grand total was made up as follow's: Amount.

“Department Not At Fault”

“There are occasional complaints regarding delays,” said Mr Welsh, “But many of these are not the fault of any State department. Sometimes the trouble* lies with the applicant himself. In the main we have the best rehabilitation system in the world, but there are still some faults, and anomalies occasionally crop up. This district has had a big allocation of funds, but we still need a great deal more.” In reply to questions, Mr Welsh stated that the 50 per cent, allocation to ex-servicemen in the matter of housing was still in force. No State houses had been allocated in the past 18 months, so far as he could recall. When any civilian was granted a house, then the next one was given to a returned man. The president, Mr W. V. Joyce, commented that many of those who stayed at- home provided the sinews of war which enabled the soldiers to carry on. Some who had done that were as entitled to houses as were returned men. The position would right itself in time, he considered. “I read in last night’s paper that public buildings such as a new theatre and racecourse stands are being considered,” said Mr J. Weir. . “Can the R.S.A. do anything about having such held up? Surely houses are more important?'’ The president stated that the material for stich works might not be suitable for houses, though there was certainly the loss of labour which might be employed on housing. In his opinion, however, the Government would not allow any such projects to affect the housing situation. “It is no good waiting until that sort of work is started,” said Mr DSmith. ‘T think we should protest against even any thought of building places like that before houses.” Mr Welsh urged caution against any drastic protest. All that was required was to. ask the Building Controller to exercise his discretion. * ‘

A member commented that he had already waited 18 months for a house and seemed no closer to getting one than at the start.

Protest Should be Made

Mr A. W. White contended that some protest should be made. Though the material for structures mentioned might not be suited to housing, _ a little experimentation and ingenuity might make it available for the purpose. Mr S. Burrows considered that nothing drastic should be done in the meantime, as it was likely that better supplies of materials would be forthcoming in the near' future. “The theatre people have been trying to get a permit for five years, and the racing club have been trying for a long time,” remarked Mr A. C.

Robinson, “so it appears that _ the Building Controller is still exercising his discretion.” After further brief discussion, the matter was left- in the hands of the executive to take such action as _ it thought fit in securing the speeding up of house construction. It was also decided to forward a letter of congratulation to the Rehabilitation Committee on their efforts on behalf of returhed men.

Number . £ Tools — ... 4 161 Business ... 34 17,360 Houses .. 60,585 Farms ... ... 49 240,215 Furniture ... 95 8980