SLUM CLEARANCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 263, 2 August 1941, Page 12

SLUM CLEARANCE

Auckland Problem

DRAFT BILL PREPARED

Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, August 1.

Steps being taken by the Auckland City Council to deal with the problem of unsatisfactory housing conditions in the city area were advanced another stage at a meeting last night, when it was decided to refer a draft Bill to the city solicitor to complete for presentation to the Government. Long reports were before the council. A report from the town-planning committee stated that it was concerned at the deplorable shortage of accommodation in the city area. It was stated that no adequate legislation existed at present for the amelioration of these conditions. The committee recommended that the draft Bill should be approved, and steps taken to present it to the Government. A memorandum by Dr. R. G. McElroy stated that the proposed legislation contained powers to make advances or to guarantee them within certain limits. These advances would be made by building societies or similar financial institutions to persons desiring to build homes in the Auckland city limits. The memorandum added that the housing committee saw no hope of the housing shortage being overcome till a great many more skilled workmen were available in the building industry. The committee felt that the only part of the slum clearance programme that could be attacked immediately and which promised the greatest relief in the shortest time was the restoration to standard of the “sub-standard” houses. Without legislation nothing could be attempted, and it was for this reason that nothing so far had been done.