SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 13

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

PRIME MINISTER'S SOLUTION ALTEBATIONS OF EXISTING LAW CONTEMPLATED. {IT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 25th. May. As a contribution towards an attempted solution of the housing difficulty, the Premier intends to ask Parliament to amend the law in the direction of increasing from 75 to 95 the percentage of the cost the Government can lend to settlers and workers wishing to build their 'own houses. He made this announcement this morning to a deputation, from, the Council of Christian Congregations, which was introduced by the Mayor of Auckland.

"I am going to ask Parliament to make a serious alteration in the law," Mr. Massey said, "which will encourage the building of a great many more houses. At present'the Government, under the Advances to Settlers and Advances to Workers Acts, may find 75 per cent, of the cost of a building. ' That has worked verj^well in the past, but I think it is capable of improvement and I intend to ask. Parliament to improve it. lam going to ask Parliament to increase the amount we can advance from 75 per cent, to 95 per cent. You 'will no doubt think that that is a pretty big risk, but I don't shut my eyes to the fact, but the money is lent on what are known as table mortgages; that is to say, that as soon as the first half year's interest is paid the liability is automatically lessened, and the security of the State is improved and goes on improving. I think Parliament will agree to my suggestion. Of course, ■we know that if the percentage is to be increased as I suggest we would have to provide a lot of money, probably a million pounds, as there would be a rush to take advantage of the Government's new scheme. And that is what the Government is doing in the matter of the shortage of houses."

He went on to say that he did not know exactly what the Mayor of Auckland had in his mind in regard to. the amelioration of the position, but if he (Mr. Massey) could assist Auckland or any other city where there was a housing difficulty-he would be quite prepared to consider any reasonable proposal.

Turning- to the question of the accom-. modation of immigrants that had been raised, the Premier said that, if immigrants were of the right type they would be ready to build their own houses. The Dominion had been successful up to the present in getting good batches, and there were always building tradesmen among them. "Just the sort of people that we want to build homes for themselves and for other people."

Speaking generally, Mr. Massey said that he had outlined what the Government had done, and had explained that it was increasing the opportunities for people to build. It must be remembered that Auckland had gone ahead in a most unprecedented and wonderful way during the past few years, in addition to which they'must remember the gap in building caused by the war. If the deputation could suggest anything mora than the Government was doing, or proposed, he -svould most cordially try to help.