HOUSING QUESTION

Grey River Argus, 20 November 1946, Page 2

HOUSING QUESTION

One of the most pressing problems of the day, perhaps the most important of all, is the provision of houses, either, to rent, or to purchase outright, for the people of this country. A lot has been written and said on this particular subject by all sections of the community, including candidates for Parliament in their election campaigns, particularly the National candidates in their bid for the Treasury Benches. It will be agreed, at least by all fair-minded people, that the Labour Government has, during their term of office, which included nearly six years of war, made strenuous efforts to provide housing for the people, as instanced by many Government settlements erected all over the country, not withstanding the fact that during the war period materials and labour that would have provided a far greater number of houses, had to be used for defence purposes in the shape of camps, factories and hospitals. It vJould appear that the great demand that has set in for more houses, particularly, for purchase outright, has been brought about by two reasons, both from the ex-service men and women, and the civilian population.

Firstly, the majority of workers are now secure in Industry, and are confident that any commitments he or she enters into, in purchasing a house, at least whilst the present Government is in office, can be. taken on'without fear that he or she would have to default' on' payments and so be emptied out in the event of their opponents gaining office. Secondly, when the benefits! provided under the Social Security legislation as now operating, are taken into consideration, many young people including ex-service personnel, now approach marriage with' a greater confidence than hitherto, in that the fear of the cessation of family income, through the sickness of the breadwinner, and consequent inability to work, has now been allayed to a large extent by the introduction of the Labour Government’s Social Security legislation, which makes provision for this misfortune, and also provides for a universal child allowance, a great boon to a mother and growing family. The question as to whether houses should be erected for renting or purchase at this stage is not of paramount importance, as no doubt there is ample provision for both classes of applicants. The main question is that the question has, and is being tackled seriously by the Labour Government, and will continue to be handled expeditiously, both now, and after November 27th. Since 1936, 22,042 houses have- been built for letting by the Housing Construction Department, and the State Advances Corporation has provided the finance to enable 22,065 families to own their own homes.