SEIZURE OF HOUSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 7 August 1945, Page 5

SEIZURE OF HOUSES

VIGILANTES IN AUSTRALIA

PROBLEM FOR AUTHORITIES Sydney, Aug. 6. The violent seizure of houses by “vigilantes” in Melbourne and Sydney raises a problem for the State Governments. Threats by vigilantes to seize more empty houses in Melbourne suburbs this week are expected to result in th e State Cabinet taking a strong line to check this form of direct action which is an imitation of (he procedure adopted by a small section of disinherited people in England. The vigilantes say they have 50 other empty houses “on the list.” The spokesman for the vigilantes—now said to be 3000 strong—revealed that an ultimatum had been presented to the Victorian Premier, Mr Dunstan. demanding the passing of legislation within seven days to authorise the seizure of all empty houses in Melbourne and near areas. Vigilantes, who installed a homeless family in an apparently vacant house in Hawthorn last Friday night, have deprived a 76-year-old man of his home. He has been in and out of hospital with an injured leg for the past year. He was recuperating with his sister until he was well enough to return to his own home. A vigilante .committee, the first in Sydney to help married returned soldiers obtain homes, was formed in the suburb of Auburn yesterday. The provisional committee includes representatives of the Returned Soldiers’ League (Auburn branch), the Australian Labour Party and the Communist Party. The secretary of the committee stated: “We are out to see that justice is done to the men who left their wives and children to fight for their country.” The Returned Soldiers' League does not support the action of vigilantes. Th e State President of the League, Mr J. C. Neagle, said: “We are a lawabiding organisation, pledged to be loyal to the Government, of the day and we say legal processes should be used. Servicemen should use their rights under the National Security Regulations.” (The National Security Regulations provide that a returned soldier may apply to the Court for an order against the owner of an empty house to show -cause why he should not allow the soldier to occupy it). The action of the vigilantes further emphasises the acute housing shortage in Australia, but as th e “Telegraph” says, no such efforts are needed to dramatise the shortage. The public is already acutely aware of it. Reform will be appallingly slow, because there has been lack of foresight by the authorities, but it will not be hastened by hysterical law-breaking, adds the “Telegraph.” The “Daily Telegraph’s” political correspondent says that the Commonwealth is likely to seek, by referendum if necessary, all State housing and administration powers. Supporters of Commonwealth housing control agree with Senator Ashley that housing powers should be sought for the Commonwealth by referendum.

Their arguments include: As the only borrowing authority, the Commonwealth must finance all homebuilding plans. The ComiYionwealth controls the import and procurement of all building materials in short supply. The Commonwealth is the main source of finance for the training of building operatives and the makers of building materials. Prefabrication on a nation-wide scale would give cheaper houses than individual State efforts. ACTION BY RETURNED SOLDIERS Sydney, August 5. A group of returned soldiers has seized 13 empty houses in Melbourne during the past three weeks. The leader of the group said that seven more houses would be taken over next week unless the Government compelled their owners to sell or let them. The group had 1500 members, including many servicewomen. Only one case of seizure of a house is reported in Sydney. This form of direct action is strongly condemned by the “Sunday Telegraph.” The paper, in an editorial, says: "It is infectious, undesirable and dangerous. The housing shortage.is acute, but the seizure of property will not cure the shortage. The plight of the ex-serviceman with a family but no home makes direct action tempting, but illegal short-cuts will only aggravate the position." The Minister of Supply. Senator Ashley, urges a referendum on whether the Federal Government should carry out an Australian-wide housing scheme. Such a referendum, he says, could be taken this year. (Under a recent referendum, power sought by the Fed eral Government to carry out national works in peacetime, including housing was refused. Power to carry out such schemes rests with the Slates. Any building that the Commonwealth Government does under the National Security Regulations must have some relation to defence.) ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN VICTORIA (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) Melbourne, This Day Municipal and shire councils in Victoria will be given power to install < tenants in houses which have been unoccupied for an unreasonable length of ■ time. The Premier, Mr Dunstan said ] legislation providing lor this power would be introduced in the State Parliament. Neither the people nor the Government would tolerate action by vigilantes in seizing homes. The Gov- ' ernment is determined to see that law 1 and order are maintained. There is no ; room for direct action and people’ who ‘ take part in unlawful activities will ( have to take the consequences, ’’ added ( Mr Dunstan. i

The Victorian State Accommodation Officer has sent letters to about 50 owners of empty houses in Melbourne seaside districts asking them to agree to let the buildings Jo tenants. In a lepoit to Cabinet on the activities of Melbourne vigilantes, the Victorian Chief Commissioner. Mr Duncan, said the police would not tolerate -nob rule even though inspired by the most humane intentions

BUILDING INDUSTRY

"GO-SLOW” STRIKE MOVE BY BUILDING TRADE WORKERS Melbourne, Aug. 6 A “go-slow” strike has been ordered on all defence jobs by the Building Trades Federation. This was announced by the secretary of th e federation, Mr D. Thompson, who said that the aim was to force the Govern, men to give better working conditions to men i;i the building industry which was losing hundreds of skilled operatives to other trades less essential but more attractive industrially The main complaint was lack of continuity of work for men in the building trades—that they frequently arrived at work, to be told by their employers that weather conditions made it impossible for the work to go on. “Their wages are stopped for days and they are laid off, but the

landlord still wants his rent and the butcher's bills come in,” said Mr Thompson. "Naturally, the men drift j off to other industries where they; can be sure of regular pay. and if! this drift continues th e housing pro-! blem is never going to b e solved.” j Instancing how bad working conditions were adversely affecting build- I ing prospects, Mr Thompson said that! 44 men were recently released from! the army to work in a factory nianu-' lacturing housing materials. Of these, I only 12 were still with the factory;! the other 32 had preferred to return' | to the army. I