LAND ACT DEFECT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 29, 3 February 1945, Page 7

LAND ACT DEFECT

SERVICEMEN'S HOMES

WHANGAREI CRITICISM

WHANGAREI, this day

The need for the application of Section 51 of the Land Sales Act to urban as well as to rural propertywas emphasised at a meeting of the Whangarei R.S.A. last night. It was explained that, although the Crown could take action in respect of farm lands and divert a sale when it was before the Land Sales Committee from a civilian purchaser to a returned soldier, similar action could not be taken regarding urban lands. Houses and sections were required by ex-servicemen as much as farm lands. An amendment to the Act was required to bring urban lands within the scope of this section , of the Act. It was decided to request the Dominion executive of the R.S.A. to consider the application of Section 51 to urban properties as well as rural properties so ex-servicemen would be given the opportunity of acquiring homes in as substantial a- proportion as was available to exservicemen in the rental of houses through the State Advances Department. The demand for houses in Whangarei, where the shortage has been acute thi-oughout the war years, is illustrated by the fact that there are 550 applications for State rental houses, 500 of them being from civilians and 50 from returned servicemen.