COUNCIL'S PART

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 146, 22 June 1945, Page 6

COUNCIL'S PART

THE HOUSING CRISIS

"DOING ITS BEST"

Though he was not able to comment 'on the discussion on housing which took place at yesterday's special meeting of the City Council, the Mayor, Mr. Allum, said this morning that he was sure the council would do all it could to meet the housing position. He did not think, however, that its efforts could make a material impression on the situation.

"The Government has assumed the responsibility of housing the people by way of its State .projects and, although there is a strong division of opinion on the merits or otherwise of this policy, it is the position as it exists," said Mr. Allum. "The result is that more and more people are applying to the State Advances Corporation who, in turn, plead inability to meet the demand. This has led to a state of chaos where housing is concerned. I understand that there are 15,000 current applications for State houses in Auckland, of which 3000 are classed as urgent. The position is so serious that I have requested that no more Government officers be transferred to this city unless prior arrangements have been made to house them."

He was greatly concerned at the fact that the number of people seeking interviews with him regarding their housing troubles was not getting less, continued Mr. Allum. There was also the prospect of large numbers of servicemen returning, and these men would certainly demand decent living accommodation. "All manpower resources and building materials are at present under State control," he added, "and, notwithstanding the seriousness of the position, house building does not seem to have been given the priority the circumstances merit. We hear a good deal about hydro-electric works and other grandiose schemes for the post-war, but these will be cold comfort to people without homes. The question has become a burning one in England and it is so here." The council was doing its best by assisting people to build their own homes and by providing a certain amount of temporary accommodation, concluded Mr. Allum.