SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17125, 2 April 1919, Page 14

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES.

* STATE A 8 BUILDER,

SOCIETY'S PROPOSAL - Tire shortage of houses in the large lowna of New Zealand was discussed by the executive of tho Wellington War Relief Association. The meeting decided that "the Government should at once proceed to erect houses in the principal centres, and that the houses when built fehoald be sold to the soldiers on easy terms." . • The question 'was raised by the chair"■'■ynux, Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp. He referred to "the tremendous- shortage of houses, latterly we have come across many .'cfcics where soldiers have found difficulty in getting houses, end women "getting rooms," he said. "The GcrernJimi is advancing up to £1000 to soldiers yho want to buy houses. That is a very '■'■* 'od -thing, but it would be very much c. tt«r if the Government built the houses. The. Government should be abb to build biases/cheaper than others." Mr. $. Shirtcliffo : 1 would like to see fie resolution worded "Government. and •municipal corporations." : Mr. J. Hutcheson said it used to be (thought that tho presence of the miliary •c. mps caused the house shortage fa Wei- '] ugton,. but now that tne camps were ' t-oken fij> the house problem was as great - ;> ever. Z. Mr. Tripp : I don't know if the mum"('.pal corporations could. build houses for tic peopV. Mr. HnU-heson: They could build 1 -uses for their employees and relieve . fie pressure for the public. Mr. Ilames Mcintosh : The limit of the .Advances to Settlers is £450, and you <ar.not do anything with that. I think v* should ask for this restriction to be l.moved. That would help. Mr. Hntcheson: I think tho whole frravaman of the situation lies on the Re ] :,triation Boards. • It was also decided to urge tho Govertv - rent to remove the limitation placed on ' the amounts advanced by the Advances it-. Tferkors and the Advances to Settlers' " PepArtmants, in order that soldiers may *, k enabled to acquire houses lor them- • (elves under the provisions of the Acts.