HOUSING BILL

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 8

HOUSING BILL

Amendments By Committee NATIVES NOW INCLUDED .

The inclti.-ion of Native housing within the scope of the provisions ot the Housing Improvement Bill is the most important amendment made to the Bin bv the Local Bills Committee of the House, which has reported on the Bill. The original Bill excluded such housing from the Bill unless occupied by a person who was- not a Native. Another amendment provides that the authority given to the Alinister of M orks to order work to be done to improte ed bv the committee, and n local autborir t v fails to take the necessary steps to do so is not to be exercised in relation to UDy.hous? ou Native laud, without the consent of the local authority. The provision dealing with the vacation of bouses where demolitions or improvements are necessary has been amended, and it will now be no offenee if oecupancv of a house is continued unless suitable alternative accommodation has been offered, whereas previously the accommodation was what an inspector of factories regarded as suitable. . . The powers given local authorities m the original Bill in the reclamation of overcrowded areas have also been amended by the committee, an da local authority may now resuhdivide and improve the reclamation area or any land adjacent acquired bv the local authority under the Bill. There is a proviso, however, that before the local authority carries out any resubdivision or improvement it is required to obtain the approval of the Town Thinning Board to its proposals as to the future use of the land. To assist local authorities to carry out; any scheme for the subdivision and improvement of any reclamation area provision is made for the Government to contribute to the costs. Other amendments of a minor nature have been trade to the Bill by the committee.