Government’s Housing Policy

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1938, Page 10

Government’s Housing Policy

t Special to “Northern Advocate .”] WELLINGTON, This Day. In the course of his Budget speech in the House of Representatives last evening, the Finance Minister, the Hon. Walter Nash, referred at some length to the Government’s housing policy. The first contracts for the erection of houses, he said, were accepted in March, 1937, and since that date great progress has been achieved. To date, tenders have been called for 4711 houses in 79 different towns, and contracts have been actually let for 3748 houses in 70 different towns. The average number of houses in each contract is five. One hundred and eighty different contracting firms are carrying out work for the department. Over 1000 houses have been completed, and within four and a-half months it is estimated that a further 1000 will fee handed over for occupation. The total number of houses actually commenced by contractors from March. 1937, to date is over 2800, and 5000 persons are directly engaged on the work. Houses have already been completed in 28 towns, and were under way in an additional 39. Material and Labour Shortage. Building operations, said Mr Nash, have been hampered by scarcity of skilled labour, and, in lesser degree, by shortage of materials. The rapid extension of the department’s operations has in some cases been too fast for the manufacturing industries in the Dominion, especially in the case of roofing tiles. Up to June 30. 1928, the total expenditure on housing, purchase of land, provision of services, administration. etc., amounted to £2,199,115; while the total commitments for land purchases and contracts entered into from the inception of the scheme to the present date amounts to approximately £5,000,000. In addition, loans granted to local authorities lor housing construction amounted to £450,000. While keeping the rentals of properties as low as possible, ihe principle has been laid down that full costs are to bo taken into account in assessing the rentals and accordingly no charge is falling on the general taxpayer. State Advances Corporation. A In regard to operations of the S.ate Advances Corporation. Mr Nash said that during the year ended March 31.

1938, loans amounting to £1,721.009 were authorised in respect of residential properties, involving a total of 2480 applicants, and in the case of farm properties 707 loans were authorised amounting to a total of £1,284,000. In addition, a total of £544,000 was authorised in respect of 78 applications from local authorities for general purposes. The lending- rate in each case had been kept at 4« per cent., thus making it possible to keep the instalments! within the capacity of the average borrower.

TOMORROW —6.SO a.m: Weather for 'aviators. 7.0 to 9.0: Breakfast session. 10.0: Weather for aviators. 10.8: Devotional service. 10.30; From House of Representatives. 5.30 p.m: “Paradise Plumes and Headhunters.” 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Recorded programme—CarsOn Robison and Buckarccs. At 8.40: Talk, “English Folk Dancing.” 9.0: Weather and station notices. 9.5; Eb and Zeb, the country storekeepers. 9.15: Recorded brass band concert; vocal interludes by Raymond Newell (baritone) and Vera Lynn (light vocal). 10.0; Dance music. 11.0 to 5.0 a.m: Fourth cricket Test, England v. Australia. . 2YC WELLINGTON (840 kc.). 7.30 p.m: A ramble in the news by “Ccranto.” 8.0: Concert programme —The Four Kings of Rhythm entertain. 8.14: “Auntie Takes a Hand,” the Japanese houseboy.. 8.28: “Dorothy Dickson (soprano), “Dorothy Dickson” medlefy. 8.36: The Coral Islanders. 8.40; Talk, Professor G. B. Alexander, “Let’s Visit America.” 9.0: Weather and station notices. 9.5; Programme by Aeolian Choir. Instrumental interludes by Cedric Sharpe Sextet; Beatrice Harrison (cello); and BBC Symphony Orchestra. 10.0: Variety. 3YA CHRISTCHURCH (720 kc.). 7.35 p.m: Talk, under auspices of Canterbury Agricultural College, Dr. M. C. Franklin, “Ewe Losses at Lambing time.” 8.0: J. H. Squire, Celeste Octet, “Everybody’s Melo- | dies.” 8.9: “Sheffield Outrages,” dramatic interlude dealing with famous episode of British Trade Unionism. 1 (NBS production.) 8.52; J. H. Squire Celeste Octet, “Good Company” medley. 9.0; Weather and station notices. 9.5: Talk, Mr Leicester Webb, “World Affairs.” 9.20 to 11.0: Dance music. TOMORROW. —7.O p.m: Nows and reports. 8.0; Recital programme— Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra; Mrs Hamilton Mercer (mezzo-contral-to); Henri Temtanka (violin) and Chamber Orchestra; Rev. Lawrence A. North (baritone). 9.0: Weather and station notices. 9.5: Talk, “Out of the Way Jewish Communities.” 9.20: Orchestral and ballad programme, featuring, at 9.26, Mina Gale (soprano). 10.0: Fourth cricket Test match. 4YA DUNEDIN (790 kc.). 7.0 p.m; News. 8.0; Recorded concert, comprising works of Haydn and Schumann—Bruno Walter and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Symphony No. 96 in D Major (Hayin'-. 8.26: Elisabeth Schumann (sopraao).l

8.32: Ignace Jan Paderewski (piano), Rondo in A Minor- (Mozart). 8 4C: Reserved. 9.0: Weaaur and station notices. 9.5: Dr. Leo Blech and Berlin State Opera Orchestra, Divertimento No. 9 for Wind Instruments (Mozart). 9.13: Franz Volker (tenor), “The Violet” (Mozart) and “The Lotus Flower” (Schumann). 9.30: “Masterpieces of Music,” with illustration and comment by Dr. V. E. , Galway, Lecturer in Music, University of Otago—Piano Concerto in A Major, by Arthur Rubinstein and London Symphony Orchestra (Mozart) ; “Traume,” by Chidago Symphony Orchestra (Wagner). 10.0 to 11.0; Music, mirth and melody, with, at 10.16, “The Blue Danube,” theme programme. TOMORROW.— 7.O p.m: News and reports. 8.0: “Dad and Dave From Snake Gully,” humorous serial. At 8.17: “Concentrated Whoopee,” Japanese houseboy; Carson Robison and Buckaroos. 8.41; Reserved. 9.0: Weather and station notices. 9.5. Harold Williams and BBC Male Choir; Arturo Toscanini and Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. 9,20: Readings by Professor T. D. Adams, with musical interludes. 1.0: Fourth cricket Test match. i Short Wave -Stations THURSDAY, JULY 21. EMPIRE STATIONS. GSG, 16.86 m; GSO, 19.76 m; GSF, 19.82 m; GSD, 25.53 m; GSB, 31.55 m. 4.30 p.m: Big Ben. “Steamboat.” Variety and drama from a floating playhouse. 5.15: “World Affairs.” Talk by Professor of International Law in University of Oxford. 5.30: Recital by Arthur Fear (baritone). 5.55: Fredric Bayco, at the organ. 6.20: Nows and announcements. 6.45: Close down. FRIDAY, JULY 22. EMPIRE STATIONS. GSG, 16.86 m; GSO. 19.76 m; GSF, 19.82 m; GSD. 25.53 m; GSB. 31.55 m. 4.30 p.m: Big Ben. “Aberdeen Night.” Third of broadcasts from seaside resorts. 5.30; Talk by BBC Chief Engineer. 1 5.45: “Airs of the British Isles.” Arthur Dulay Quintet. 6.10; Next week’s programmes. 6.20: News and announcements. 6.45; Close down.