The Northern Advocate Daily SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1935. HOUSING POLICY

Northern Advocate, 19 October 1935, Page 8

The Northern Advocate Daily

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1935. HOUSING POLICY

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

When delivering his Budget, the Finance Minister, Mr Coates, announced.-'-that- the Government had been, giving consideration to the problem of housing in New Zealand, and that in a subsequent session it proposed to introduce a comprehensive Bill establishing the lines of future housing policy. The Minister has noAV issued/in pamphlet form, an outline of the general principles .which it is anticipated will be folloAved., The pamphlet is not intended as the final and detailed formulation of a programme, but rather as indicating a foundation on Avhieh such a pro gramme can be based by constructive co-operation between the Government, local authorities and interested individuals or groups. It is apparent, from a perusal of the pamphlet, that the Government’s scheme is still in a nebu lons state, it being necessary to obtain a great deal of information before concrete proposals can bo embodied in legislation. In broad outline, the housing policy adopted in Britain is being taken as the foundation of the scheme, but the Government must realise that conditions in 'New Zealand are different from those in Britain, Avhere housing policy has been based on the elimination of slum areas Jnj thickly populated cities. It is \yise, however, to look ahead, and to take precautions against the development of congested areas. For that reason it is gratifying to hear that the Government proposes to incorporate the principles o*f tQAvn planning in its housing scheme. This, while making provision for the housing of the population, should distribute it to the best advantage. It should not be necessary, even at a fairly remote period, to erectin New Zealand the huge blocks of tenements Avhieh are a feature of housing schemes in Britain. The Government has in contemplation, first the erection of detached houses, then semidetached houses in groups of three or four, and lastly flats of up to three storeys in the inner areas of toAvns ou relatively expensive land. An important requirement -precedent to the commencement of a housing scheme is to determine the extent to Avhieh existing housing accom- , moclation falls short of that re-

qiiirocl to house The population! in dwellings which conform toj mininu.Vn standards to be decided j upon. In order to obtain the] necessary statistical information, for each locality, it is proposed to introduce legislation requiring each local authority, or groiip of authorities, to immediately institute a survey of housing in its district Avitii a vie tv to determining (1) the number of houses in Which overcrowding exists (2) the number of houses which fall below T an accepted standard of comfort and sanitation and which require (a) renovation or (b) demolition (3) the number of people affected. It is proposed that the administration of the survey in each district should be in the hands of a ,local committee including representatives of the Government and the local authority or local authorities concerned. who should bear the cost. The Government Statistician, at each of the last three censuses, has collected and compiled information as to numbers of rooms and occupants, of dwelling. but be will obtain further details at the census to he taken next year. It is realised that many people who are inadequately housed will be unable to finance the purchase of satisfactory buildings or pay the full rental value on present costs. Hence one of the main aims of a housing scheme should be to narrow- the gap between an economic rental and what such people can afford to pay by every practicable economy in finance, administration and construction, the difference being made up by some form of subsidy or grant. Tins calls for prevention of speculation in houses and of pro-: fiteering In materials, which might easily he encouraged by a housing scheme.' The Government therefore proposes a further move of a socialistic character by licensing builders and restricting profitmaking. The irreducible minimum of cost to the eommuuity should be distributed as equitably as possible between the State and the local authorities/ It: is proposed, in order to strengthen : the financial organisation of building societies and enable them to assist, in the provision of cheap finance for 'housing, that the Housing Act will enable building societies to form a co- ’ operative association of building societies. Housing policy summed b up, will aim at the provision of [ comfortable houses at moderate ; rentals and houses for sale at moderate prices, the general Government, providing the requisite statutory authority, and the local authorities implementing its legislation by co-operation with building societies, housing assocatiohs, and, if necessary, by municipal bousing schemes. The Government’s proposals go further than seems to be necessary, but the ultimate scheme, if it reaches the Statute Book, will probably be greatly in the light of the information which 1 is to be sought pending the introduction of legislation.