HOUSING BILL

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24677, 21 September 1945, Page 4

HOUSING BILL

* MINISTER REPLIES TO DEBATE IMPROVEMENT POWERS FOR LOCAL BODIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. Nobody had a monopoly of hatred for slums, and he was prepared to accept any reasonable amendment to the measure when the bill was in committee, or before the Local Bills Committee, said the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semplei to-night, replying to the second reading debate on the Housing Improvement Bill in the House of Representatives. Mr Semple said it was time, now that the war was over, to introduce a bill giving power to local authorities to take action in regard to housing improvement. It had been said that the time was inopportune for the bill because of the scarcity of homes, but he sincerely hoped the shortage of manpower and materials would pot exist 12 months hence, when a start could be made to clean up undesirable sites in our cities and towns. He was glad the House had accepted the bin in so friendly a manner. This showed an earnest endeavour on both sides to solve the problem. He deplored the fact that slums existed in such a young country as New Zealand. The bulwarks of a nation were to be found in the home life of its people, and it was the duty of every thinking individual with any power or responsibility, to get rid of the slum menace as soon as possible. Mr Semple said he agreed that it was inadvisable to operate the bill right away. Not until the housing shortage became less acute could the bill operate. There was no desire to confiscate anyone’s property, or intrude on private interests, but it was desired to wipe out slum areas, which should not exist in a young country. State Housing Mr Semple said there wcs no danger of State houses becoming substandard houses, as had been suggested. Wherever extensive State housing was undertaken areas were scientifically planned to give every amenity for modern social life. Recreation areas, schools, churches, shopping centres, dental clinics, etc., were all provided for. Moreover, 10 per cent, of each area subdivided for State housing was set aside for reserves, compared with the usual 5 per cent, of areas developed by private enterprise. Mr Semple said visitors from overseas had been more than favourably impressed with the standard of State houses in New Zealand, which compared well with State homes anywhere in the world. Local bodies would have to tackle the job of getting rid of houses not fit for a bandicoot to live in, houses where a walking-stick could be poked through the walls, houses which were breeding places for rats. The Government was going to see that the motherhood of the country was given a better chance, and was going to build State homes better than ever, and have the best housed people in the world. If tackled with energy and foresight, the housing problem would be non-existent in five years. ‘‘You can’t rear a pansy in a gasometer, nor a healthy child in a slum,” declared Mr Semple. The Government desired to improve amenities in homes and reduce the laborious toil of the mothers. The bill was read a second time and referred to the Local Bills Committee.

MAORI HOUSING EXCLUSION FROM BILL OPPOSED MU TIRIKATENE’S VIEW (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 20. The Maori member of the Executive Council (the Hon. E. T. Tirikatene' joined Opposition members to-'day in opposing the exclusion of the Maori people from the scope of the Housing Improvement Bill, The Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple), replying to the debate, said he had an open mind on that point. Maoris bad been excluded from the bill at the request of local bodies, but it might be possible to prepare a modified clause. Mr Tirikatene said the Maoris felt that the exclusion of their housing from the improvement bill was a twoedged sword. On the one hand it was possible that the powers of the bill might be used to have improvements of Maori properties effected, and the cost charged against the property, with the result that Maori owners might eventually be forced of! their properties through being unable to -meet the debt load. Ov, the other hand it might be helpful, because if improvements were carried out without an excessive burden being placed on Maori property owners the local authority concerned would then be responsible. up to a point, for seeing that conditions were more hygienic. Personally he did not think local bodies would seek to use the bill to force Maoris off a property, but the possibility was there. Mr Tirikatene also suggested that if Maori housing were exempt from the bill the situation might arise wherein one side of a street occupied by pakehas might be improved more rapidly than the other side owned by Maoris. It was time the Maori people shouldered their due responsibilities. He did not suggest that the Native Department was not doing its job in regard to Maori housing, but he thought the main responsibility for a native housing scheme should lie with the Minister of Works. Equal Footing Suggested Asked by Opposition members if he favoured placing Maori housing on an equal footing with the rest of the community, Mr Tirikatene said that personally he was in favour of striking out the clause which excluded Maori housing from the bill’s provisions. An Opposition voice: You would treat them both alike. Mr Tirikatene; Yes. Mr Tirikatene added that this question was bound to arise when Maoris asked for equality. Mr Semple said he had an open mind on the question of Maori housing, and he would be guided,by the opinion of the House. He had taken the clause embracing Maori housing out of the bill at the request of local bodies. The pivot of the local authorities’ argument was on the point that in some places where the rates were heavy and the Maori population dense the pakeha would have to carry a second burden. It might be possible to prepare a modified clause, which would hot imply discrimination.

MEAT PRICES ♦ BUTCHERS’ NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. Hopes that the Government will soon take steps to improve the conditions under which their business is carried on are held by the executive of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Association, fitter a conference in Wellington extending from Monday morning till midday to-dsy. During the conference a sub-committce was set up to wait on the Minister of Industries and Commerce Uhe Hon. D. G. Sullivan) and the Stabilisation Commission. Details of the negotiations with the Government could not be disclosed, said the secretary of the association, Mr W. J. Mount,'joy, to-day. but the following resolution had been adopted; “That it be a recommendation to local butchers’ associations throughout the Dominion that they take no action until a reply is received from the Government on the representations made during this week, particularly in view of the favourable consideration that has been expressed and shown by the Government, and the fact that a reply is expected, within a week.” The chief cause of complaint by butchers is the fixation of retail meat prices, while stock prices have mounted free from restrictions.