ALUMINIUM HOUSES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25724, 9 February 1949, Page 2

ALUMINIUM HOUSES

EXHIBITION AT WELLINGTON MR FRASER IMPRESSED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 8. “I hope these houses or sorhe modification of them can be usdd to supplement our rural housing programme,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) when he opened the exhibition in Wellington to-day of two British-made prefabricated aluminium bungalows. Mr Fraser, who was shown over the houses by Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, South Pacific representative of the manufacturers, said he was very impressed with what he had seen, but the factor of speedy erection could not be allowe dto cloud the cost issue. The Government was grateful for, and would explore fhe possibilities of, any suggestion that would result in more houses. At a press conference before the opening ceremony, Sir Keith Park said the British Government recently offered an allocation of 5000 aluminium bungalows a year to New Zealand and Australia in proportions to be agreed upon by their Governments. As yet neither Government had accepted the offer but the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) had intimated that he was keenly interested in the proposal. "The importation of these dwellings would constitute a two-way contribution towards aid for Britain. It would assist British industry and at the same time cater for greater primary production in areas that were short of labour because they had no accommodation to offer. It was not suggested that the aluminium bungalow could compete as a home with the architect-designed State house but, in addition to the advantage of speedy erection, it offered proof against fire, earthquake, and termite losses, said Sir Keith Park. The erected cost of the houses in New Zealand will be afyout £2OOO.