AWAITING HOMES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 84, 10 April 1945, Page 3

AWAITING HOMES

1944 EX-SERVICEMEN - AUCKLAND LIST GROWING There are at present 1944 returned servicemen on the waiting list for State houses in Auckland, an increase during the past month of 84. Of the men waitipg, 163 have three or more dependents, 222 two dependents, 856 one and 703 are childless. Houses allotted during the month numbered 60, of which 51 were allocated in Noveniber and December, but the houses could not be occupied. It was decided, on the suggestion of Mr. F. Hackett, M.P., chairman of the Local Rehabilitation Committee, to endeavour to have the files of ex-serviceman applicants for homes kept in the Rehabilitation Office.

The question of preference for ex-servicemen in regard to building material was discussed. A letter from the Director of Rehabilitation, stated that it had been decided to adopt a zoning system based on the number of permits granted, the timber supply and the labour position. Timber production at the present time was 50 per cent below requirements, and the matter of timber supply would be in the hands of local] allocation committees. Mr. A. P. Postlewaite stated that there should be an absolute priority for returned men in regard to timber for building purposes. The first necessity in successful rehabilitation was to provide homes for men when they returned to civilian life. Mr. Bernard Martin agreed that the reply was unsatisfactory. While he felt that building projects, such as hospitals and other essential undertakings, must have prior claim, returned men should come very high on the priority list. Mr. Hackett said there was no doubt that the law was being flouted and some private building was going on that should not be permitted. The fines of £10 or £20 for unauthorised building were not sufficient to stop it—it was just another form of black market. The meeting decided to notify the Director that the reply was not considered satisfactory and that a more definite priority should be provided for ex-servicemen desiring to build their own homes.