IMMIGRATION SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10542, 19 March 1920, Page 6

IMMIGRATION SCHEME

SCARCITY OF HOMES RECOMMENDATIONS of progress LEAGUE. The following resolution was passed at the meeting of tho executive of tho Central Progress League:—“That the league advocates an immigration policy of suitable British emigrants, but urges tho Government to first concentrate on tho immigration of men skilled in the building "11113 "allftd’"tYfldcS; so that houses may bo built for bur own people, now without homes, and for tho flow of British emigrants w© may expect in tho country when the housing problem has been solved That wo are of opinion that tho Government should stop all unessential buildings until tho house shortage has been overcome." In_ reference to the above resolution Colonel Mitohell staled that the Progress League was of opinion that the housing problem cannot possibly no solved under the present rate of progress now being made in the building of homes, and the" position promises to be Just as acute in ten years as it is to-day, unless much more rapid progress is made. It is quite questionable if we are even holding our own in tno' matter. A well-known builder estimated to-day that half the men skilled fa the building trades were employed on buildings which we could do without in the meantime. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. “Personally,” he said, “I am of the opinion that much more drastic and comprehensive - steps „ are necessary than the Government, have yet taken. I suggest:—That the Government stop ■ all unnecessary buildings, such as grandstands, motor garages, theatres, picture shows, shops, and such works which cannot, under any stretch ol imagination, he claimed as urgent, while we have so many homeless people, and concentrate all tho available labour on'building homes. That the Government direct timber mills to concentrate on the production of house building timber only, and the Government take over, the whole ol their output, also the output from brick and cement works and roofing material, -and -distribute where most urgently required at cost prices (plus expenses, of course). To concentrate immediately on. the immigration of men skilled in the building and allied trades, to help in building homes lor the homeless hero, and the emigrants which we so urgently require for the development of the country, but which should hot he brought her© before tho housing problem is solved.”