Building Subsidy Ceases

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 6

Building Subsidy Ceases

Except For Small Houses

MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night,

Subsidies are to continue available in approved cases under the existing rules in respect of new dwellings involving a total contract price not exceeding £7OO, but all other building subsidies hitherto granted from the unemployment fund are to he abolished. This information was given in the following statement issued to-night by Hon. H. T. Armstrong, Minister of Labour:— “Cabinet has decided that a scheme under which subsidies have been granted from the unemployment fund iu respect of renovation and alteration of private dwellings, will cease forthwith and no new applications will be received. The scheme was brought into operation by the previous Government on April 1, 1935, iu accordance with the Government's policy of assisting workers to secure their owu homes. ‘•The subsidy scheme iu respect of the erection of new dwellings will be , retained in the meantime, but the subsidy will be restricted to dwellings involving a total contract price of not more than £7OO. Applications already submitted under either of the schemes mentioned will be dealt with on their merits and under the rules existing hitherto. To avoid hardship consideration will be given to applications by persons who, in anticipation of receiving a subsidy, have actually incurred a deiiiiite iinancial commitment, it will bo a condition in such cases, however, that application shall have been received by the local certifying officer not later than Monday next, March 2.”

Questioned upon tho point, the Minister stated that where local bodies contemplate any comprehensive housing plan but are restrained from giving effect thereto because of restricted fiuauce, he would be very pleased sympathetically to consider requests for reasonable assistance.