HOUSING SHORTAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 9 February 1944, Page 4

HOUSING SHORTAGE

POSITION IN NELSON MINISTER’S REPLY TO MAYOR PROPOSED TRANSFER OF WORKMEN What he described as the desperate position existing in Nelson in the matter of the housing shortage was outlined by the Mayor (Mr E. It. Neale) in correspondence with the Minister of Works (the lion. K. Semple). The Mayor also protested against a. suggestion that Nelson workmen be transferred to the Rbrth Island to undertake house construction work. The Mayor in his letter of 21st January pointed out that although tenders for ten more Government houses had been called months ago, nothing appeared to have eventuated. He had been advised by local builders that probably forty private houses could be built in Nelson straight away if permits and materials could be secured. The position showed no sign of easing, said Mr Neale, and he was constantly being asked for assistance in finding accommodation. He asked whether there was any prospect of building more State houses in Nelson and whether private building of homes could be undertaken.

“I understand that there is a probability that local workmen may be compelled to go to the North Island. If this is so, I wish to protest against this course being followed when their services are needed to provide homes for our own people,” added the Mayor’s letter. NEEDS OF NORTH ISLAND CITIES The Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple), on 3rd February sent the following letter of reply to Mr Neale:— “I desire to inform you that tenders were invited some time ago for the erection of ten houses at Nelson, but it was not possible to secure a tender satisfactory to the Department of Housing Construction. “The Building Controller has advised me that he is prepared to grant permits for the building of private homes at Nelson, subject of course, to the restrictions imposed by the Building Control Regulations as to the size of the proposed buildings and the use of certain materials. “The whole position is really one of manpower ijmd materials with the added complication that the shortage of houses at Wellington and at Auckland totals some twenty thousand units, and Cabinet has decided that in the circumstances every effort should be made to accelerate the building programme in those two centres.

“I wish to assure you. however, that the needs of Nelson, in common with other localities, will not be overlooked and further houses will be put in hand as soon as conditions permit.”