Urgent Need For Pensioner Houses

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29902, 16 August 1962, Page 22

Urgent Need For Pensioner Houses

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 15. More pensioner houses could mean fewer pensioners in hospital, the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) told Parliament. He made a plea for local authorities to take full advantage of the Government subsidy for pensioner accommodation.

“This is not solely a matter for the Government,” Mr McKay said. “It's a matter for local bodies as well, and a problem that concerns us all."

Mr McKay said £190.000 had been voted last year for subsidies. Only £132,539 had been spent. Local authorities had shown more interest in recent months, and this year’s vote was up to £200.000. Mr McKay was speaking during discussion of Health Department estimates.

Earlier, both Government and Opposition speakers expressed concern that local authorities had “fallen down on the job" of building pensioners' flats. ‘

Mr W. A. Fox 'Opposition. Miramar) described the pensioner housing shortage as “the worst aspect of housing in New Zealand." Mr D. J. Riddiford (Government. Wellington Central)

said more than 400 persons were awaiting pensioner houses in Wellington. Mr W A. Fraser (Opposition, St. Kilda) said: “Its not good enobgh to see our elderly people living in shanties .” Mr R. D. Muldoon 'Government. Tamaki) said Auckland local bodies, with certain exceptions, had not done the work they should have in this field. “Tlie Government has a responsibility in the matter and. for its part, has provided the money." he said “But if the local authorities fall down on it the Government has got to get in and have a go."