House Shortage

Hutt News, Volume 10, Issue 20, 21 October 1936, Page 5

House Shortage

' '■ . CR. DOWSE'S VIEWS. Commenting on " the 'discussion which receiiAly took jplace at the Borough Council meeting: in connection forith the Government's proposed action to relieve the house shortage in Lower Hutt, Cr. P. Dowse states that the discussion .followed a circular letter received' from the Government which had (prompted the Council to take a survey of a particular, district. The result of the survey, said Cr. Dowse, established the fact that out of 3£3 houses, there were 23 with mare than one family. On this basis then, and as there were approximately 3000 houses in the district, it was clear that an immediate shortage of 230 houses existed ia the borough. Taking into consideration also that in the last ten years the popuJation of the Hutt Valley had doubled and also the continual industrialisation 6f the district, it was safe to say 'there was a shortage of 400 houses. Despite | these facts the Mayor and several Councillors contended that there was no shortage. i The Mayor (Mr, J. W. Andrews) The Mayor (Mr. J. W. Andrews), continued Cr. Dowse, stated that the building 'of hoii'ses iby the Government on a large scale would depreciate the value of other property, and he inferred that, by standardisation, the aesthetic scruples of the people would be upset. The Government has repeatedly stated that the outside designs would vary considerably. On the other hanidi, private enterprise has built street after street of houses with very little variation except a slight modification in the monotonous barn .roof. "Perhaps Mt. Andrews has in mind a housing scheme o,f another Government which does not reflect much credit upon' those who sponsored it, both in the borough and out,'' said Mr. Dowse. "It should be remembered that property was depreciated as a result of the policy of the late Government in wage reduction and slowing down of industry, thus making it impossible for thousands of people to meet their commitments. "Regarding the question of rates, the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) has laid it down on several occasions that they will bo paid. In the so long as the Crown land sections- are vacant, no rates are being paid. It appears, therefore, that Mr. Andrews is prepared to forego £2400 a year in rates, for the Government proposes to erect some 300 houses in Lower Hutt.

"Following the Council meeting, Air. Andrews made a long statement to ''•he press condemning the Government in its proposal to erect joinery factories. It is rather unfortunate that out chief citizen should allow himself to be the spokesman of the joinery trade. Whilst lie did say in effect that lie could speak more freely outside the Council Chambers,'it would have been better it' he had left this to others. Surely the housing of the people should bo the chief conceTii of the Alayor."

Criticism would not bear much examination contended .Councillor Dowse. Mr. Andrews had saidi the Government was importing machinery when there was ample in New Zealand. Did Air. xYndrews, cxpect the Government to rationalise the industry? asked Air. Dowse. One could readily see the impossibility attendant upon such an attempt. With the multitude of factories that had sprung up at street corners and in backyards, the industry would be well advised to look inwards and give a little self-examination before criticising the Government, Air. Andrews would admit that the tendency for individual builders to do their own joinery was jiot in his interests as a joinery manufacturer, nor in the interests of the country.

''In conclusion," sakl Mt, Dowse, <<I would state that the Government's first consideration is to house the people, There is a shortage of houses in Lower Hutt, as I have shown. When there ia a plentiful supply, rents will come, down to a reasonable level, populatioa will tend to increase, and New Zealand as a whole will benefit."