HOUSES, FLATS & SLUM CLEARANCE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 221, 15 June 1944, Page 3

HOUSES, FLATS & SLUM CLEARANCE

Mr. Appleton’s Proposals CITY’S CO-OPERATION WITH STATE Housing and slum clearance figured largely in the address of the new mayor of Wellington, Mr. Appleton, at. his installation yesterday. Housing was the council's great problem, he said. It had liecomp increasingly apparent that the State alone could not solve it; nor could the council without men and materials. Here he welcomed the recent statements of the Minister of Works, Mr. .Semple, that "private builders will be given a very great percentage of the material anil manpower available ’ and "we want to encourage them." That was exactly what life council had sought by deputation to .Mr. Nash, as Acting-Prime Minister, last December. The council’s policy, with houses, was home ownership. Before war conditions interfered 100 citizens built their homes under the council's immediate pre-war IK) per cent, advance scheme. Now £lOO,000 was available and more when that was exhausted. lie. wanted the scheme widely- known aud a special housing officer. A partial solution of the housing problem would he found in assisting the small builder to resume his former role in construction. The council would work 'in fullest co-operation with the Government in its scheme; there was ample room for both. But before the council could progress .with slum clearance it must have empowering legislation. That would be sought without delay. On certain slum-cleared areas he favoured communal flats for elderly persons and bachelor girls, who were keenly personally and financially affected by existing conditions. As a preliminary he would call a conference of builders, architects, town planners, social workers and others interested, to advise and assist the council. Co-operation sought before moving would reduce later criticism to a minimum. In fact, in many matters it would be wise to encourage outside co-opera-tion. always bearing in mind that the council must make the final decision and accept responsibility.