FARM HOUSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24876, 24 April 1944, Page 4

FARM HOUSING

BUILDINGS FROM CAMPS DRAFT PLANS PREPARED TIMBER AND MATERIALS A statement that plans have been drafted for the disposal of those mili* tarv camp buildings no longer required in New Zealand was made yesterday by the Minister of Works, the Hon. R. Semple. who is visiting Auckland in connection with departmental business. Arrangements were being made, Mr. Semple stated, to utilise material for the purpose of supplying necessary farm accommodation throughout the Dominion. Several designs had been prepared with an objective of keeping down costs as much as possible and providing attractive homes for people working on farms. The Government did not want to provide places that in a year or two would take on the appearance of slum dwellings. The co-opera-tion of farmers would be necessary to make the project fully successful and to set a standard of a better type of farm labour accommodation generally. Organisation and Problems Many of the big camps, the Minister continued, were built for the United States and could not be interfered with until the United States' authorities said that they were no longer "wanted. There was a small number of the Government's own hutments and buildings, mostly in North Auckland, which could be demolished any time, but a start had not yet been made. The organisation of breaking down military encampments was just as great and detailed as the subsequent use of the materials for rebuilding. One problem was the safe storage of the materials and equipment. The public, unfortunately, adopted a peculiar attij tude toward the ownership of such property and protection had to he secured against loss. There had already been some sad experiences, against a repetition of which the Government was determined to be safeguarded. The Financial Aspect Another point Mr. Semple made was that the Government could not rebuild accommodation free. Good buildings would improve the value of properties and some understanding would have to be reached between the Housing Department and the farmers who needed buildings. It was up to the farmer to organise and provide information for the Government. "If the primary production councils obtained the ideas of the industry as to the number of houses wanted, where needed, and the type required we will talk business," said the Minister. "When the timber and materials become available a unique opportunity will be provided to bridge the gap which exists in farm housing and provide up-to-date accommodation so that married men can go on to farms and live like human beings in their own home —not a shack."