Squatter To Leave Wellington House

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1947, Page 4

Squatter To Leave Wellington House

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. "As a consequence of the court decision, this evening marks the end of the time by which the squatters in Abel Tasman House, Berhampore, are to be out of the premises," said the secretary ot the Wellington district committee of the Communist Party (Mr A. B. Skilton) yesterday. “Because of the plight of the affected families a letter has been sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) asking him to make a public statement on the Government's intentions toward the squatters, with the particular object of finding accommodation for them.”

The Prime Minister was advised, Mr Skilton continued, that fines, costs and legal expenses falling upon the squatters amounted to £144.

The men were mostly returned ser-. vicemen who previously had been living in desperate circumstances, entailing heavy financial commitments. Some had been separated from their wives and children.

The opinion had been expressed 'to the Prime Minister that alternative accommodation, even of a temporary nature, should be made available, said Mr Skilton.

It was submitted that temporary accommodation should be used for families in desperate circumstances before immigrants were provided with accommodation.