PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

THIS MORNING’S SITTING PROGRESS OF STATE HOUSING [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 21. 'Hie House met at 11 a.m. Mr M‘Keen, on behalf of the member for Napier (the Speaker, Mr Barnard), gave notice to ask tho'Minister of Health whether ho had not noticed a recent statement in a Hawke’s Bay paper to the effect that a low physical standard of military recruits at Hastings was shown by tho fact that of 150 applicants 33 per cent, were rejected as unlit, and whether tho position was typical of other centres in the Dominion; and whether tho Minister would investigate the position with a view to correcting defects. Bosuming the Address-in-lleply debate, tho Minister of Housing, Mr Armstrong, continued tho speech which was interrupted by tho adjournment the previous evening. When the Government had assumed office, he said, S 3 per cent, of skilled artisans in the building trades were on tho dole, while tho unemployment funds were being used to assist insurance companies, • hotels, freezing companies, etc., to build new buildings. In fact, the money was being used for anything and everything but building houses for the people. Since 1936, said Mr Armstrong, the house-building vote had been doubled, and in 1939 some 914 more houses were being built than in 1927, which previously was tho record year for house building in New Zealand. That was a complete answer to people who said private enterprise was being driven out of house building. Speaking of housing for farmers and farm workers, Mr Armstrong said the Government recognised that it was time New Zealand turned its attention to the problem, which, however, bristled with difficulties. The State tending departments always required a first mortgage and could not expect precedence over existing farm mortgages. When the State Advances Corporation was the main mortgagee, further advances were being made in many cases.

Mr Hodgens dealt with defence, and criticised the Opposition’s contention that universal military service was necessary. Colonel Hargest, ho said, wanted a standing army of 40,000 to 50,000 in New Zealand. Heaven only knew what ho would like in the event of war.

The House adjourned at 1 p.m