COMPULSORY LETTING OF VACANT HOUSES PROPOSED

Evening Star, Issue 26155, 17 July 1947, Page 6

COMPULSORY LETTING OF VACANT HOUSES PROPOSED

(Special.) WELLINGTON, July 17. Legislation is to be introduced in the House this session, with the object of compelling the owners of vacant houses to let them. This was announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in answer to a question by Mr T. P. Shand (Nat,,. Marlborough), who bad asked whether, in view of the number of houses and other, buiid- , ings, which were in the hands of Government departments, and un- , occupied, the Prime Minister would take, steps to have a list prepared showing the last date of occupation of the buildings, and the steps being taken to ensure re-occupa-tion as soon as possible. He enumerated several buildings, one of which was a hostel, and had been unoccupied for two years. Mr Fraser said the matter would be looked into immediately. Instructions had been issued to all departments 12 months ago or more, to notify dwellings that became vacant, and there ' was no excuse for empty dwellings not being notified. Of course, in some cases, buildings could not be occupied, because the timber could be taken away and used elsewhere. There was no excuse . why any vacant' dwelling should not be occupied: Parliament would have an opportunity of considering the, question of compelling private owners to letvacant houses, and Government departments ’ should set an- example. Such legislation was in operation in Tasmania and Victoria, and. was working very well, and the R.S.A. in New Zealand had asked for it.