Housing Question Again Before Parliament

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1945, Page 4

Housing Question Again Before Parliament

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Continuing the Budget debate on the Financial Statement in the House of Representatives last night Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Waitomo) advocated the further development of hydroelectric power with the view of establishing industries that could produce for all parts of the world. He suggested the production of nitrates, and other substances of a similar nature. He also suggested the possibility of harnessing thermal power for the manufacture of chemicals and more research into the production of flax fibre with a view to increasing its value. Discussing housing Mr Broadfoot said that New Zealand had exported 13,000 000 feet of building timber to get a similar amount of Australian hardwood. That amount of timber would have built thousands of homes and by exporting it the Government had deprived thousands of families of ‘their homes for many years to come. Why were they exporting houses to Australia when there was such a shortage in New Zealand? he asked. Did “the people on the other side of the water” hold a pistol to the Minister’s head? It was a sorry example of Government dealing with Government. Concrete For Building There was need for more encouragement for those producing building materials and also need for the investigation of alternative materials for-building. He considered it should be possible to build in concrete more cheaply than in timber, as well as reducing future upkeep by the use of more permanent material. Mr F. Langstone (Government —Waimarino) said New Zealand’s economy today was as well balanced as that of any country in spite of the withdrawal of so many from production for the armed forces. Discussing the taking over of the Bank of New Zealand Mr Langstone said the question of State banking was agitating the minds of people all over the world. If for no other reason it was imperative to have a State bank because of the size and complexity of State activities which themselves required banking facilities. Relief For Farmers Mr W. H. Gillespie (Opposition— Hurunui), said the Minister for Finance was giving relief to secondary industry through a special depreciation allowance on buildings and plant. Was he going to give a similar concession to primary industry? If secondary industry was entitled to it then the farmer who produced 50 per cent of the wealth of «the country should also receive relief. The Minister for Finance had said that import control was to continue. He wanted the Minister to say that it would continue on a just basis.

Mr C. M. Williams (Government — Kaiapoi) said the Leader of the Opposition the previous evening had spoken like a man who did not expect his chickens to come home to roost. If the Opposition were to become the Government some of the assurances given by Mr Holland would prove embarrassing. Mr Holland had complained of inflation but the only alternative to some measure of inflation was to pay for the war entirely oui of taxation. Mr Holland could not advocate such a policy, however, for he has complained about taxation even when a large part of the war expenses had still to be met. The debate was interrupted by the 10.30 p.m. adjournment.