COST OF HOUSES

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 61, 10 September 1945, Page 7

COST OF HOUSES

Surely no stronger argument : needed to show the necessity of se ting up a Housing Construction Cour cil as I advocated some 12 months ag than the remarks reported in "Th Post" of Saturday, September 1, b Mr. Semple, Minister of Works, an Mr. H. E. Combs, M.P. for Wellingto Suburbs, writes Mr. R. A. Large t 'The Post."

The Minister of Works, in setting out the causes for the housing holdup, said, "We have no reserves of man-power and we have no reserves of materials." In my opinion these causes might be reversed, as a reserve of man-power would be utterly useless unless we can overcome the lack of reserve of materials. The shortages are not wholly due to the man-power position. We have had six years of war, and during this period neither sawmillers nor proprietors of factories responsible for building accessories have been able to buy new plant, renew their present plant, or extend their, factory premises so as to provide for an increased output which is now required. Now that the world is again at peace we can expect the majority of our forces back m this country within the next 12 months, and work has to be found for some thousands of skilled and unskilled labour. The one thing which must be avoided at all costs is unemployment, and I consider that this can be done provided that a thorough survey of the housing industry is immediately undertaken by a Housing Construction Council. It is most essential at this stage to ascertain how many houses can be constructed each year in timber, concrete, or brick provided that our sawmills, cement works, and brick kilns are working to lull capacity, and, having obtained this information, we must also know whether our local factories would be in a position to supply all internal fixtures and fittings required to complete this number of units. If it is found that any item is going to be.m short supply, import restrictions or not, it should be obtained elsewhere and so avoid the hold-up in completion which is happening today. j I think it would be found that our< yearly output would be limited to such a degree in comparison with the number required that many people would see no prospect of obtaining a home within the next 15-20 years, and | it must not be forgotten that the re- j employment of labour will be very | largely governed by the number .01 j homes we can erect. If the Housing; Council discovers that this is the position we must immediately consider other means of construction, and for this purpose two or three experienced men should be sent overseas to study housing construction in other countries. I have for the past six years expressed the opinion that the best material for housing construction m this Dominion is pre-fabricated press*ed steel or metal built on concrete or steel foundations, with steel joists, studs, rafters, roof, and chimneys, and with insulated walls, i think perhaps a wooden floor would have to be laid over, or take the place of a steel floor. All corners of outside walls to be welded. Rustless steel to be used throughout. The main advantages of this construction are:—(l) Cheapness; (2) rapid method of construction with the great advantage of being able to employ both skilled and unskilled labour; (3) life of building would be almost double that of the wooden house being built today, consequently loans could be arranged for a .longer period, so reducing the occupier's weekly outgoings: (4) minimum amount of depreciation; (5) no fear of borer pests; (.6) fire risk and insurance premiums reduced to a minimum; (7) exceptionally low upkeep. If rustless steel was used an outside coat of some material would only be required to improve the'general appearance.- _ . | Up to the present I have dealt solely with- the Government housing scheme, but-we must not lose sight of the fact that there are some hundreds of private people waiting to build but who cannot do so until timber and housing accessories are available. If the Overseas Investigation Committee is able to make a favourable report on some material which is more permanent and better suited for Government housing schemes, then I contend that the timber resources of the Dominion should be made available in the following priority:—(l) To returned servicemen who wish to own their own homes and have got sections already on which to build. This type of man should be encouraged to every possible degree, should be supplied with materials required at a reduced rate, and would, with the help of his friends over the weekends and other periods, be housed within a few months. Whilst the work was in progress he should be given the use of two ok three Army huts which could be placed on the section so that he could live on the job. I know for a fact that there are many men owning sections who would take immediate advantage of such an opportunity. (2) Local body housing schemes. (3) Private people waiting to build. • „ „ The remarks made by Mr. H. k. Combs were to the effect that he had been told by a man who professed to know something about housing that the profit on a £1500 house was £500. This is certainly a startling statement, and even if only partly true the position calls for investigation. If such profits are being made at the expense of the country and our returned servicemen then it is time that the Price Tribunal stepped in.

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