WAR BLAMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 4

WAR BLAMED.

HOUSING SHORTAGE.

POSITION IN BRITAIN

I BUILDING lI4T>TTSI'RT BOOM. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. i That the average British working man is prosperous and contented with his lot is the belief of Mr. G. H. formerly officer-in-cliarge of the Department of Labour, who has returned to Dnnediu from a year's, visit to England. Although the armaments scheme had no doubt stimulated some industries others in no way connected were experiencing a boom, and, generally speaking, everybody was very busy. Tlie building industry, in particular, was extremely active, and in town and country alike houses and other buildings were being erected at top speed. Building of houses, however, was a major consideration. There were, first of all, slum clearances going on in all the major cities, and the demolished buildings were .being replaced by modern and attractive homes. Throughout London flats were being rushed up as fast as possible. This seemed to be the most popular form of "home" life in the metropolis. %

During the five years of war no houses were built in England ,and the effect of that was noticeable to-day in the incredibly great demand , for houses. It may

seem hard to'-believe that after so many years the war should 'be blamed for the existing house shortage, but that is the case.

Questioned .'whether he had heard any opinions expressed regarding New land's Labour Government, Mr. Lightfoot replied he ihad heard really very little, and nothing of any moment. Opinions differed somewhat. . The moneyed person was inclined to paint the Government as black as it was possible to do, but the average working man who was in any way interested thought it would only help to make New Zealand more like "God's own country" than ever iI had been.