HOUSES AND RENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23156, 30 September 1938, Page 13

HOUSES AND RENTS

THE STATE PROJECTS A NOISY AUDIENCE ARGUMENTS AMONG CROWD Voices engaged in argument or expressions of displeasure at some pronouncement from the candidate, punctuated the address given last night by Mr. H. T. Merritt, National candidate for Auckland East, at the Methodist Hall. Carlton Gore Road. The hall was crowded Rents for Government houses were supposed to have been from 12s 6d to 16s 6d a week, said the speaker, and the Government was to build enough houses to satisfy the shortage overnight. A Voice: Go on, you're exaggerating. Uproar Develops Mr. Merritt: I am not. The Labour Government houses were to cost between £6OO and £7OO, according to locality. Very few of those houses have been built for less than £1000; most of them cost £I2OO to £ISOO. The average rent is 32s 6d to 3os. People have told me they cannot afford to live in State houses. This provoked an uproar that lasted for some time. Several men and women became involved in arguments in all parts of the hall. Mr. Merritt spoke into the microphone, the volume control of the loud-speaker system was used by the operator, and the din was almost beyond description. At length the arguments ceased, and the candidate continued with his speech. He said the Labour Government had not kept many of its promises, and had forfeited its right to the people's confidence. Rentals ol Flats A Man's Voice: Well, what did Gordon Coates do ? A Woman Asked: What does the National Party' intend doing about the rack rents being charged by owners of flats and apartment houses? Answer that one. The Candidate: I know of some flats owned by a certain highly respected gentleman in the city. He is asking £5 5s for them —and he purports to be a Socialist, too. Booing, cheers for "Mickey Savage," laughter and arguments swiftly followed the last question, and completely drowned the candidate's reply. When the noise had subsided, he continued with his speech. A vote of confidence in the candidate was passed by acclamation, to the accompaniment of shouting and further cheers for "Mickey Savage" from the back of the hall.

AN HOUR FOR QUESTIONS MR. LYOX AT DA TRY FLAT A number of interjections marked an address given by Mr. W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waiteinata, in the Dairy Flat Public Hall last night. Mr. Lyon treated his interjectors in ail amiable manner, however, and did not have great difficulty in coping with them. Mrs. M. F. Docherty presided over an attendance of approximately 80. Mr. Lyon dealt comprehensively with the defence problem, social security scheme and the guaranteed price for farmers. At the conclusion of his address more than an hour was occupied in answering questions asked. A vote of thanks and confidence in the speaker was carried 011 the voices. COMPARATIVE QUIETNESS 1 MR. A. S. BAILEY'S MEETING A comparatively quiet hearing was again given Mr. A. S. Bailey, National Party candidate for the Roskill seat, when he spoke last night at the Mount Roskill School. The large classroom in which the meeting was held was crowded and many people were forced to stand outside in the passage, where a loudspeaker system had been installed. The big majority of Mr. Bailey's listeners were in support of the * policy explained by the speaker, but three or four voices at the back of the room took advantage of any pauses to interpolate critical remarks and enlivened the meeting with their interjections. Mr. Bailey was greeted with cheers and the cry: "Three cheers for the new Prime Minister." When he was outlining the benefits of the National Party's policy, an interjector asked: "Are you a Labour candidate?" "If I am returned 1 will be che best bet the Labour people ever had in this country." replied Mr. Bailey. Mr. Bailey answered several questions at the conclusion of his address and the motion of thanks to the candidate was passed without dissent from the opposition. TRANSPORT AUTHORITY LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday The licensing authority for the No. 3 Transport District, Mr. T. H. Langford, has been granted leave of absence during the Parliamentary election campaign. He is the Labour candidate for the Riccarton electorate. Although it is stated that there is nothing in the regulations compelling civil servants to resign their posts when contesting an election, Mr. Langford considered it wise to be released from official duties. Actually, Mr. Langford was released from his duties as the licensing authority on Sept-ember 17.