HOUSING PROBLEM

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24345, 25 August 1944, Page 6

HOUSING PROBLEM

MINISTER’S REPLY LOCAL BODIES CONFER i In view of the housing situation, the I executive of the South Island Local i Bodies’ Association (which met in | Christchurch on Wednesday under the | chairmanship of the Mayor of Christ- ! church, Mr E. H. Andrews), called on the Government and all bodies concerned to give serious consideration to the building of utilitarian family homes. This would provide additional floor space in lieu of some of the more expensive conveniences and appliances, which, it was contended, under existing conditions were very expensive. The conference was also of opinion that homes for men returning from oversea service, and also for the civil population, must be given priority *in essential undertakings. Shelter and accommodation for growing families should, in the meantime, take precedence over expensive fittings and furnishings, all of which could be added, it was stated, when more adequate supplies became available and prices were more reasonable. It was recommended by the conference that building by-laws should be reviewed and modified where necessary. so as to reduce costs and help to encourage building by public bodies and private enterprise. Letter from Minister This discussion followed the reading Of a letter signed .by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts), on behalf of the Government, and marked "confidential.” It was in reply to representations that the association had made to the Government concerning the seriousness of the housing situation throughout the South Island. The Mayor of Timaru (Mr A. E. S. Hanan) said there was nothing in the letter that could not be made public: In fact, he believed that in the interests of the public it should be published. * The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Andrews): We cannot very well do that. Mr Hanan did not agree with the Minister when he said that so many essentials for the building of houses had to be imported. “Quite a number of the articles mentioned.” he said, ."are now being made in New Zea- ° Mr Andrews said the Christchurch -City Council was preparing to spend fe loan of £IOO.OOO on housing. He fagreed with other speakers that an 'effort should be made to eliminate the Seales tax and the cost of transfers in la general effort to lower the costs of fimilding homes. "I think we should [support these local bodies who are trying to,have those costs removed from the homes of former soldiers.” he said. It was submitted by the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr Abraham Wachner) that all the local interested in ,the building of homes should pool their * d The conference agreed that this should be done. ... Mr Wachner: This organisation , would justify its existence if it did nothing else but obtain that inionuacould be reduced, suggested the Town Clerk of Dunedin (Mr H. A. ?Johnston) if the building regulations 'of the local bodies were modified to some extent. _ , ; ... Mr Hanan: The finest gesture that we could make to the returned solidier would be to give him a Piece of band for his home. He has fought for ‘it. and he has earned it. I only wish that we could do it. Mr J. C. Kirkness (who represented the Otago boroughs): It i$ most unfortunate that the Minister’s reoly has been marked “confidential.” There is nothing in it really that could not be published.