STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Evening Star, Issue 25715, 12 February 1946, Page 10

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

MAYOR'S APPEAL TO CITIZENS " WE MUST DO SOMETHING " " I know there are great difficulties in the way, but we must do something," declared the Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron), when appealing to councillors at the fortnightly meeting of the City Council last night, to help University and Training College students obtain accommodation in Dunedin. " The present appeal to share your home is akin to that made in England during the bombing period, but in England there was no option—people were made to give shelter to the homeless. Is it too much now to ask the people of Dunedin to shoulder in a small way what was an additional burden borne uncomplainingly by the people of England? " asked Mr Cameron.

The Mayor submitted the following minute, which was unanimously endorsed:—" There is an increased demand for students' accommodation this year, and the extra buildings and rooms provided will not meet the demand. An urgent appeal to citizens to open their homes for students, either for full board and lodging, or for bed and breakfast only, is being made. If Dunedin is to retain it.s position as the leading university and training centre, this appeal must be met within the next fortnight. I would urge our citizens to do all possible to meet this very urgent local need, and communicate immediately with the University or Training College authorities. This appeal must take priority of place in our local appeals at present." COMPENSATING FACTORS. Many people naturally shrank from the idea of strangers in their homes, but there could be compensations, the Mayor said. Students, taken generally, were the best of the young people leaving secondary schools. In a great many instances lasting friendships had resulted from the taking in of student boarders. Those with spare rooms were asked, to reconsider their mistrust of the student population, which frequently was based on a few isolated instances of student thoughtlessness. In many cases there could be mutual advantages, continued Mr Cameron. " No student should he allowed to make a fruitless search "for board, or occupy a shakedown in a hall while there are unoccupied rooms in any home in this University town. The use of a room without meals should not be too much to ask of anyone. Moved by the appeal in Saturday's papers, some 20 homes have already responded, but upwards of 300 will be required by March. It would be a matter for civic pride if it could be said on the reopening of the University at the beginning of March that every student, had been provided with accommodation."