Native Housing Amendment Bill

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 110, 19 September 1938, Page 4

Native Housing Amendment Bill

HOUSES FOR MAORIS MONEY VOTED FOR PURPOSE POSITION AT PUKEKOHE A step forward has been taken by the Government toward improving the living conditions of Maoris, but the provisions under the Native Housing Amendment Bill do not appear to be adequate.

The member for Franklin, Mr A. C. A Sexton, states that “Clause 3 gives a general power to the Board of Native Affairs to acquire lands for native housing purposes and will enable houses to be erected for natives who own no land. Clause 4 gives power to build houses, etc. The bill gives the power to do all these things, but it is a question of the money. Clause 18 provides £50,000 for indigent natives but I do not think that the Pukekohe natives come within that definition. A.further £50,000 is to be provided but that is a mere drop in the bucket compared with the amount required.” When the Bill was before the House Mr Sexton stressed the position of Pukekohe natives. He said: — “A (Much Needed Want”

Along with other members of the House, I am very glad to see this amending Bill brought down because it will fill a much-needed want. At the present time we have roughly two classes of natives, those with land and those without. Those with land, so far as the Department can do it, are being provided for now under the various native land development schemes, but the other class, the man without land, is in just the same position as the pakeha, he has to try and live as well as he can and to live he must have a house. No provision so far has been made for that class of native. I am particularly concerned with this aspect of the question because of the considerable settlement of natives in and about the town of Pukekohe. They are engaged there in the market-gardening industry and are very efficient workers. They have an inherited talent for this particular class of work and the conditions under which they have been living have been most unsatisfactory for some time past. It is no one’s fault in particular. It is a very difficult matter for the growers to provide the necessary accommodation because vChere land is being used for that particular class of work the staffing of the farm needs to be about one man for every four or five acres, and it is impossible from the capital point of view for any number of growers to provide the necessary accommodation. So far nobody has had the inclination or the power to make the necessary houses • vailable, and for that reason I welcome the Bill. Provision is made in clause 3 for buying land and clause 4 for the carrying out of various works, the building of houses and other requirements, and these houses so built can .either be sold or leased. The next thing we look for, of course, is what financial provision is made. Clause 18 establishes a special housing fund, but I would like a little more information as to how this will operate. Apparently £50,000 is to be appropriated for tlie purpose of housing indigent natives. AVhat ,woukl the Minister cali indigent natives? The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata: That is already operating. What is an Indigent Native? Mr Sexton: Is a native indigent if he is earning quite good money but has no capital resources; can he come within the scope of clause 18? The Hon. P. Fraser: If he is able to offer security or make any reasonable arrangements he will not be indigent.

Mr Sexton: The man I refer to will not be in a position to give security, but he will be in a position to pay a reasonable rent. Will be be an indigent native ?

The lion. Mr. Fraser: Chi no. Mr Sexton: Then if he is not an indigent native he cannot take advantage of this £50.000 which is appropriated by paragraph (a) of sub-clause (1) of clause IS. It is a point of considerable importance, because if he does not come within the terms of that definition then he can only look for accommodation under paragraph (b) which says: "All other moneys that may be appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the fund, or that may otherwise be payable lawfully into the fund.’’ Does the Government intend making any other moneys available? The natives of whom I am speaking now could not in the ordinary way lie called indigent because some of them are earning very good money indeed, but they have no capital’.

' The Hon. Mr Fraser: The honour- ■ able gentleman will see that it is quite J competent under the Bill to make j equitable arrangements for a man who j is able to pay. | Mr Sexton: That is so, the power is Ihere, but the next thing 1 look for is J to see what money is available to enable these houses to be built. The Hon. Mr Fraser: The £50.000 is more or less exploratory. In the honourable gentleman’s district there is a problem and if regular wages are

being paid it is quite competent to make arrangements. Mr Sexton: What 1 want to know is what fund their houses are to hi built out of.

The Hon. Mr Fraser: Part of this, I understand, can be utilised. Air Sexton: Part of the £50,000? The Hon. Mr Fraser: Yes. Mr Sexton: Then that means they will come in the category of indigent natives?

The Hon. Mr Fraser': Quite possimy I am not sure about that.

Air Speaker: Alay I suggest to the hon. gentleman that these questions had better be discussed in committee? Air Sexton: A'es, sir. But it is important that notice should be given to them, because it is evident tint the Alinister is not in a position to discuss them fully. The Bill was committed, reported and read a third time.

During the committee stage the AFnister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, said that there would be another £50,000 voted under clause 18, subclf.use (1) (b).