HOUSING PROBLEM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 7

HOUSING PROBLEM

LABOUR CHARGED

CLUBROOM PLAN CRITICISED

Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, this day. "On the waterfront at Greymouth a large clubroofn was being'built for the watersiders," said Mr. H. C. Morton (Nat, Waitemata), in the House of Representatives yesterday. He contended that in view of what he considered "the lamentable failure of the Government to cope with the housing problem," 'it was utterly wrong to give priority in labour and materials for a building of that description costing between £15,000 and £20,000.

At least ten soldiers? homes could have been provided for the money, and the Government could not justify such expenditure.

The Minister of Transport, Mr. O'Brien: Ever been there when "the barber" is blowing?

Mr. Morton declared that building costs had reached a record. He urged the/ Government to cope with the problem by allowing the free importation of Oregon pine, and to follow the example of Australia in removing the sales tax on building materials, which would save from £100 to £130 per house. He also considered that house sections under £250 should not come under the Land Court' system, as it caused tremendous delay, and probably saved only £10 to £20.

The Government, he said, should .also remove from the jurisdiction of the Fair Rents Act the sub-letting of large' houses, many of which would be made available if the; owners could get rid of bad tenants. Mf. Morton also suggested that the' Army and the Air Force camps .be used to provide housing for people, whose need was urgent, and that temporary housing should be permitted. As the coal shortage was having a serious effect on the production of bricks and cement, he thought that Japanese prisoners of war could be used in mines, which- would be in accord with the Geneva Convention. ■ The Minister of Transport: They would blow up the mines.