EMPHATIC DENIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 12

EMPHATIC DENIAL.

" MISLEADING STATEMENTS."

MB. LEE ON STATE HOUSING

(Bj Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Contending that the purchase of a home for his wife and dependents was one of the best day's work a man could do, Mr. Hamilton said, in the coursc of his speech to-night, that there was no better security for one's old age than owning one's own home. It should be the very essence of real social security because rent "was perhaps the largest fixed charge which depleted the resources provided for that time. The Socialist Labour Government, after failing to establish a State scheme to meet more than a small section of to-day's pressing needs, he said, was endeavouring to discredit the National party's announced determination to put housing on its former sound footing. Mr. Hamilton said it was unfortunately necessary when dealing with this subject to denounce publicly misleading , statements made against the National party by the Under-Secretary for Housing, Mr. Lee. He had made two very remarkable allegations, fantastic but at the same time mischievous, in their effect if they were allowed to go unchallenged. At Christchurch on August S lie had said: "Were Labour beaten at the poll at this election, then next day the timber mills on the West Coast would close Idown." Mr. Hamilton said Mr. Lee was also reported to ha\e said at Levin that if the National party were, returned .">OOO people employed on State houses would all receive notice to quit. "Emphatically I state to-niglit," said ■ Mr. Hamilton, "that there is not an i ounce of truth in these statements." He i added that the Nationalists aimed at a : programme of 5000 houses a year. It - would not put off men nor close mills. - It would employ more men and it would s keep mills busy and it would provide , opportunity for every qualified citizen - to build and own his own home. They had been concerned a great deal, he 1, said, in discussing social security foi e the Dominion, but there was more press e ing and important need for natiotia d security—dcfence.