PROPERTY OWNERS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 60, 8 September 1945, Page 8

PROPERTY OWNERS

MINISTER'S APPEAL

HOMES FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

"We all know that properties are changing hands every day, yet how many of them are reaching the man who has earned them most, without whose efforts there might not have been any properties to sell," asked the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner) in a statement issued last night. The Minister was making an appeal to property owners with suitable house and farm properties for sale to make them available to ex-servicemen. The Rehabilitation Department offices throughout the Dominion, he said, kept a register of properties as they were offered, but so far the results had been very disappointing, in spite of the wellknown fact that an increasing number of ex-servicemen was eagerly awaiting homes. If ever a section of the community had an opportunity to say a practica1 "thanks" to the ex-servicemen and at the same time make a sound business transaction, it was the owners of property, said the Minister. Yet on the face of it there would actually seem to be a remarkable apathy by property sellers in general towards the needs of ex-servicemen trying to re-establish themselves in civil life. However, he felt that if they just stopped to think of how much a small effort on their part could help one of those men they would co-operate willingly. "I appeal to them to assist in this most urgent task," said the Minister. "I would like to assure them that by registering their properties with the Rehabilitation Department they will not be committing themselves in any way. PROMPT DECISIONS. "From a business point of view it is just as sound to deal with an ex-ser-viceman as with anyone else. When rehabilitation finance is used it is a straight-out cash deal, while under our system of decentralisation ex-service-men's loan applications are being handled very promptly. This may be contrary to a belief apparently held in some quarters bu-t is none the less true. Provided a property is considered a good buy and comes within the loan limit an ' eligible ex-serviceman can expect a transaction to go through just as soon as the land sales comrtiittee gives its decision. The same thing applies to civilian transactions, so it can hardly be quoted as a deterrent in the case of servicemen dependent on rehabilitation finance. "With the materials and labour available houses are being built just as quickly as can be managed. Now that peace is here again we are going to build many more—progressively up to 17.000 a year. Meantime, however,' there are returned men and their ; families waiting to get homes, and in some cases are living in cramped and expensive accommodation. It is a matter for the whole community and not just the Government. These men have earned their place in society. They have certainly earned a home, and the Government has the purchase money ready. I am sure that property owners contemplating sale will see eye to eye with me in this very urgent matter." ___________________