THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1943. HOUSEBUILDING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3281, 28 June 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1943. HOUSEBUILDING

The point raised in the House by Mr C. A. Wilkinson and the answer given by Mr A. S. Richards will not satisfy many who are wondering what facilities the Government will give those who hope, and intend to build houses for ownership. A vast and ambitious scheme for State housing has been announced; there is no quarrel with that and it is obvious that the Housing Department must play its part in the impetus required in the housebuilding trade after the war. But there is a belief that the Government may not intend to grant private capital the sam'e facilities as the Hausing Departfacilities as the Housing Departenterprise may not be able to tackle the housing problem together fairly and equally. Mr Richards states that private enterprise has been given facilities in Auckland to build houses and that such houses are now being built. That is interesting news that needs elaboration. It is true that building restrictions have been relaxed somewhat during the past two months, but it is notable that in Paeroa no permits for dwelling houses have been issued in the past five months and that none have been since the restrictions have been relaxed. As it is, no one is allowed to build beyond a value of £l5OO, he must show what the house is wanted for, how much air space is needed and the ages, sex and relationship of the prospective occupiers. Altogether, taken with the shortage of builders and materials, any encouragement of the private building of dwellings is lacking.

Were the Government to deny to people the opportunity of ultimate ownership of their houses it would lay itself open to the charge of creating in the State a vast monopoly landlordism. Suspicion of such a motive could be removed by a clear declaration that private enterprise will be given the same facilities for house-building as the Government department.