N.Z. House Shortage

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1943, Page 5

N.Z. House Shortage

(Special) WELLINGTON. Friday. The necessity for the building of homes as a part of New Zealand’s rehabilitation plan was stressed in the House of Representatives last night by Mr. Sullivan (National-Bay of Plenty), when speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate. There had been a shortage of homes for a long number of years, he said. The building of homes would help to bring about stability, and there was a strong desire on the part of the people to own their own homes. In 1935 members of the present Government promised to reduce the cost of living if they were elected, but that promise had not been kept. Anyone who knew anything about the situation concerning building materials and manpower would realise that it was impossible to build 16,000 houses a year, as was also promised. A survey made in 1938 showed that New Zealand was short of 20,000 homes. If c survey were to be taken now. it would be found that New Zealand wanted 30,000 to 35,000 homes to meet requirements. There Would be a phenomenal demand for homes from men who had returned from the war, and the Government should frame a long-range housing programme to cover the needs of the people for the next 10 to 15 years. At the same time it should so organise its timber supplies, its hardware and manpower so that 9000 to 10,000 houses could be built annuallv. Mr. Sullivan made a plea for all State tenants being given the opportunity of owning their own homes.