THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service." WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1947 UNOCCUPIED HOUSES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32929, 26 November 1947, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service." WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1947 UNOCCUPIED HOUSES

That there Is any need at all to give local bodies dictatorial power over property-owners is a commentary on the continued crisis in housing. Were the Government able to see an improvement in the general housing situation in 1948 or even in 1949 it would have hesitated to introduce this legislation. The power of commandeering is justified in wartime in the interests of national security, but every democratic Government hesitates to act in the same manner in peacetime.

Mr Fraser places the responsibility for the legislation upon returned servicemen’s organisations; he indicates that their pressure was such that the Government was forced to act. Certainly, returned servicemen have every right to protest when habitable homes are kept indefinitely and wilfully empty while ex-servicemen and their families exist in miserable rooms or share crowded homes with relatives or even remain parted. Public opinion, although it fe tired of controls, directions and regulations, will approve of pressure designed to “ encourage ” the letting of empty houses rather than the commandeering of them. But public opinion would also like first things placed first. It is not satisfied that a full

national effort is being made to erect houses, and it is concerned that in 1947 the demand for homes has increased rather than lessened. Furthermore, the prolonged, often fantastic, delay in finishing off houses, due to the hand-to-mouth supply of essential materials, is causing impatience and dismay. If 1948 proves another year of frustration for home-seekers the demand that the Government should treat house-building as a national emergency will be more insistent than any present pressure by ex-servicemen.