"WORST CASE YET"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 163, 12 July 1943, Page 2

"WORST CASE YET"

RATS BITE CHILDREN MINISTER ORDERS REPORT "Undoubtedly the worst report that has come before me. Immediately on reading it I called upon the housing branch of the State Advances Corporation for an investigation," stated the ; Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, in discussing to-day the Star article on the complaint of Mrs. L. G. H. Southee of the housing conditions of herself, her husband, and six children in Union Street, and of two of the children having been bitten by rats.

The Corporation's report, which had reached him, stated that the conditions of the house must have materially deteriorated since the corporation's investigation at the end of 1938, following, the family's application for a State House. It was then considered that the family were reasonably well housed in comparison with many other applicants, and the matter was not regarded as urgent. At that time, however, Mr. and Mrs. Southee had only three children, / The report stated that the application for a house was regraded. as urgent. The Child Welfare Department had also been asked to make a report so that the case might be considered by the special committee set up to deal with the housing of needy families. An assurance was given that every endeavour would be made to find a suitable house at the earliest possible date. The corporation's report concerning the case of Mrs. Fletcher, also referred to in the Star article, stated that her application was noted for early consideration. As regards Mrs. E. R. Murray, who, it was said, had been offered the choice of three State houses, the corporation's report stated that on Mr. Murray joining the forces his wife and family were compelled to vacate a farm cottage which he had been entitled to occupy while employed as a share milker, this class of tenancy not being protected by the "Pair Rents Act. As the family were without a home the application was given priority. "It is not strictly correct to say that three houses were offered," added the report. "One of the houses was in poor condition, and another was not fully completed, but it was felt that either would afford temporary accommodation. Fortunately, however, just at that time, another house became available for the family."