ENTRY INTO HOMES

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25302, 30 September 1947, Page 6

ENTRY INTO HOMES

BUILDING CONTROL REGULATIONS x COUNCILLOR SUGGESTS PROTEST “That the council views with disfavour the implementation of regulations allowing entry into private homes by the building controller or his appointee and requests that this regulation be removed,” was a motion proposed by Cr. L. G. Amos at last evening’s meeting of the Christchurch City Council. After a discussion, the council decided to refer the proposal to the housing committee for investigation. “A principle is involved, as another of our freedoms is being gradually whittled away,” said Cr. Amos. “The regulations give entry by the. building controller or his nominee into the privacy of the home. It is a poor show and the council should ask the Government to amend it. When we find to-day that Government servants —and not very highly paid ones—can step into anyone’s home, even on suspicion, it is time we sat up. It is usual for a policeman to have a search warrant issued by a magistrate. The position to-day is that we accept these things and do nothing about it. For one, I am inclined to kick against the taking away of any freedom. I do not think the building controller would, without great cause, go into a home; but the principle remains that he can do so.”

Cr. A. R. Guthrey seconded the motion. Cr. G. D. Griffiths said the regulations were purely for control of the use of materials required for new houses or works sanctioned by the building controller. A merchant or joiner could supply fittings to a value of £lO .without a permit, and the controller would not take action to inspect a property unless he was satisfied that more than that amount had been spent. The controller was not looking for work. The whole trouble was that the controller only looked into these questions when an objection was lodged, probably by the next-door neighbour. Cr. J. L. Hay said the council should act carefully, as its own building inspectors were vested with certain powers. Cr. W. P. Glue said that while a shortage of materials existed and people were clamouring for houses it was no use kicking against constituted authority. They would get nowhere by objecting to the laws and should insist that the irksome regulations should be removed as soon as possible.

The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) saidthe electricity inspectors and other inspectors for the council had the right of entry under the by-laws. “Well, it is time those by-laws were rescinded,” replied Cr. Amos. The regulations were not the will of the people; it was the will of a few idiots. Cr. C. D. W. L. Sheppard’s amendment that the proposal be referred to the housing committee was carried.