4181 STATE HOUSES

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1944, Page 4

4181 STATE HOUSES

Let Since 1942 MANY TO EX-SERVICEMEN. P.A. WELLINGTON, May H. Considerably more than four thousand State rental houses and Hats have been let or relet throughout the Dominion since the Japanese entered the war, said the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a statement, to-night. Between April 1942, and March 31. 1944. the actual number of State rental houses ana flats let or re-let was 4,181. 'As during this period, the Dominion was confronted bv more serious economic difficulties, this achievement must oe regarded as gratifying. Mr. Sullivan added tTiat of the 4,181, some 1,429 had been allocated to exservicemen. Within the three months between January 1 and March 31, of this year, the total of the allocations was 428. 222 of which were made to ex-servicemen, 106 being in Auckland and Wellington. Mr Sullivan stated that with the recent return of large numbers of ex-servicemen from overseas, applications had rapidly increased. and those nending at March _ ol totalled 2,678. Of these roughly e ghty per cent had been lodged within the past six months. “The situation regarding manpower and materials,” said Mr. Sullivan, still presents a very great problem, but the Government housing programme is being pushed forward with every expedition, within the limits of these disabilities.”