LOCAL BODIES

Evening Star, Issue 22539, 6 January 1937, Page 2

LOCAL BODIES

HOUSES TO BUY A NEW OPPORTUNITY [Special to tee ‘ Star.’! WELLINGTON, January 6. Municipal efforts to cope with housing shortages in New Zealand have not so far been a success, consequently the new State Housing Department may not expect its proposals for building &y local authorities to be taken up 'with enthusiasm. However, finance at 8 per cent, is an improvement on past financial arrangements, and there is another important phase of the new scheme which does not seem to be generally appreciated. While a large number of working men without capital will he looking for State or municipal houses which they can rent, others will prefer to invest some savings with the prospect of eventually owning the dwelling. Both classes are provided’ for in the new scheme, but it is not so generally understood that local bodies are empowered to take advantage of the millions of housing finance and to give their own residents the opportunity or buying their own homes through mum-' cipal agency. The system provides for a table mortage and a comparatively small deposit by the intending occupant. There is such a demand for houses in the larger centres that it will only be through the medium of local body co-operation that much progress can be made immediately to overtake any shortage in the smaller towns. However, when the more acute situation is overcome, the Housing Department intends to, operate whenever there is a shortage which municipal endeavour has not attempted to meet.