HOMES FOR SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 154, 27 December 1918, Page 7

HOMES FOR SOLDIERS

AUSTRALIA'S HOUSING BILL

PROVISIONS OUTLINED,

The War Service Homes Bill, which was read a first time in the Federal Senate a few weeks ago, is a comprehensive measure to provide for the housing of returned soldiers and their female dependents, who are classed as " eligible persons " under the Act. ■ The definition of "eligible " person is as follows:—"An Australian soldier who satisfies the Commission that he is married, or about\to marry, or has dependents for whom it is necessary for him to maintain a home; or the female dependents o£ an Australian soldier." This definition describes those whom the Act will benefit.

The Bill (says a report in the Age) provides for the appointment of a Commissioner responsible for carrying out the Act, and having ower to acquire, sell, or lease land. Ho is to be appointed by the Governor General to- hold office for seven years, but can be suspended by the Minister for misbehaviour or incapacity. He may be deemed to have vacated his office if, among other things, he becomes bankrupt or in any way concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of the Commissionsr, or claims to be entitled to participate in.the profit of such contract. His salary is fixed at £1500 a year, and. his staff is to be subject to the Commonwealth Public Service Act. The Bill enpowers the Commissioner to acquire any private or Crown land, whether vacant or not, the provisions of the .Lands Acquisition Act applying to such acquisition, and land thus acquired wilt be vested in the Commissioner. Before exercising power in this direction involving an expenditure of more than £5000 the. Commissio'ner'must submit'the proposal for approval to the Minister. On such land the Commissioner may erect dwelling houses, or enter into contracts for their erection, and the total cost of any dwelling house thus erected, with the cost of the land on which it is erected, is not to exceed £700. . To any eligible person who is not the owner of a dwelling house in Australia or elsewhere the Commissioner may sell the house and land erected and acquired in this way, subject to such conditions as are fixed by the Commissioner. The price is not to exceed the capital cost to the Commissioner of the house and land; and, with the approval of the Commissioner, a sale may be mado to an eligible person without a deposit, and the purchaser shall be permitted to occupy the house and land as weekly tenant, and shall pay rontal sufficient to cov.er interest at the prescribed rate not exceeding 5 per cent, per annum on the capital cost, ! with insurance, rates, repairs, and such sum in reduction of the purchase money as the Commissioner thinks fit. After not less than one-fifth of the purchase money has been paid in reduction,.a person who has complied w ; ith the conditions contained in the contract of the sale to the Commissioner's satisfaction, and has paid his instalments to date, may execute in favour of the Commissioner a mortgage for the balance of the. purchase money, and 'may thus, obtain' a transfer of the land.

Advances to any eligible persons on the prescribed security may be made by the Commissioner for' erecting a house on land owned by the person; purchasing land, and erecting a bouse; purchasing house and land; completing a partially erected house owned by a person, or enlarging a house owned by him, or discharging any mortgage or encumbrance already existing on his holding. The amount of the advance is not to excsed £700, and may be made in instalments. It will only be made to persons not already owners of other houses. The Bill provides various conditions as to the kind of house erected, and the approval of plans by the Commissioner, aiid it sets out that no advance will be made except upon the security of a mortgage to the Commissioner of the estate and interest of the borrower in his holding. No advance will bo made on property encumbered by previous mortgage! save a mortgage under the Act. Payment of purchase money for house, or payment of the advances, is to be made in equal weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments. The rate of interest is not to exceed 5" per cent. Property must be kept in repair until payment is made in full, an-d while money is due, under contract of sale or mortgage, the land or house shall' not be let or sublet without consent of the Commissioner. Provision is made for' the Commissioner to enter or take possession, of land or houses if instalments are three' months' overdue. • The financial sids of the scheme is provided for by the establishment of a war service homes trust account, to consist of moneys provided out of war loans or appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Act, or purchase and other such money received by the Commissioner. Out of this fund will ■be paid 'money for the acquisition of land and houses, for building and advances, and for the salaries of the Commissioner and his staff. Provision is aho made for tils establishment of a war service insurance trust account for \nsurance against fire. Other provisions of the Bill relate to the extension of time for payment in cases of hardship, while the Commissioner may arrange with any State savings bank or other proscribed institution to provide homos for, and make advances to, eligible persons. The Commifsion'Or, if requested by the Department of Repatriation, may provide a dwellinghouse for the use of any totally or permanently incapacitated soldier, when the Minister of Repatriation shall be deemed to be the purchaser of the house. The Bill further provides for the making of necessary regulations for giving effect to the Act, .