SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1887, 11 August 1920, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 10. A deputation of women waited on the Minister of Labour to day to place before him the position they found themselves m owing to the shortage of houses. Incidentally, it was mentioned that already 50-J applications had been- received for six Government houses which would be. completed in a month or six weeks. Mr P. Eraser, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said that it was urged that all erection should bo stopped until there were suflicient houses for the needs of the people, or there should be legislation passed providing that where a landlord turns out a tenant he must bo prepared to find equivalent accommodation elsewhere. One speaker referred to the week-end “baches” at the seaside, and urged that the | needs of many people could be met if those places were thrown open to them. In | one house of 12 rooms, a. stone’s throw from Parliament Buildings, there were 11 families living. Other cases of overcrowding and hardship were cited by other speakers. . ~ , ... Sir W. H. Hornes said ho would place the matter before his colleagues. The Government was endeavouring to push ahead with the building of houses. Ihc trouble was that the more restrictions (hero wore placed on landlords the more would people have to depend on the Government for the building of houses, and the Govornmont could not meet the immediate needs of all. Tenders were being called for a further 262 houses, and the Government was inquiring into all quick methods of construction. The urgent need was recognised, and the Government was bringing down legislation to increase the powers of local bodies regarding evictions Sir \V. 11. Ilevries said it was not right to evict women. He understood that in some cases landlords hud acted in a most armary manner.