POOR RESPONSE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32627, 28 September 1945, Page 5

POOR RESPONSE

HOUSES FOR EMPLOYEES STATE DEPARTMENTS REPLIES TO PAEROA COUNCIL At a recent conference of local organisations called in Paeroa by the Paeroa Borough Council to discuss ways and means of asisting in overcoming the present housing shortage in the borough it was resolved'to write to the various State departments and local bodies urging them to erect houses for their eployees but the response was far from encouraging as was shown by letters received at the September meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council. The National Service Department wrote stating that the Controller of Manpower had advised that it was not the policy of the Government to erect houses especially for employees of State departments and it was regretted therefore that no action could be taken in the matter. Postmaster’s Reply The chief postmaster, Thames, wrote stating that the matter had been considered by his head office and he had been directed to inform the council that the department usually provided living accommodation for postmasters in post-office buildings or in separate residence and the postmaster, Paeroa, was satisfactorily catered for in this respect.

It would be an insuperable task for the department to provide houses for all members of its staff, stated the chief postmaster and apart from these there was the fact that a separate department had been charged with the provision of housing for citizens generally. The suggestion made by the council had in fact been considered previously but for the reasons mentioned’ could not be adopted. The Auckland Education Board in forwarding in reply a copy of a memorandum which they had received from the Education Department on the subject stated that they understood that so far as assistant teachers were concerned it was not the department’s intention to erect residences for their accommodation but it was prepared to consider offers made through school committees and the board of suitable houses which might be purchased for the accommodation of assistants.

The Thames- Valley Electric Power Board replied that they had already adopted a proposal for the housing of the board’s employees throughout their territory. However, owing to the present difficulty with regard' to building requirements, it might be some time before this was actually functioning but they realised how difficult it was at the present time to obtain staff without proper housing accommodation.

The Ohinemuri County Council replied that they had considered the suggestion and had agreed to defer the matter for six -months- pending a relaxation of the building restrictions. .Laughter greeted this last decision. Cr. A. O'. H. Allison .suggested that the oil companies be written to on this question and this was adopted.