The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1926. HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1926. HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE

So Auckland has been overrunning the constable in the matter of providing homes for the people—at the expense of the Government.

Since the establishment of the State Advances Department, not to speak of the special legislation in the interests of the returned soldiers, many millions of pounds have been provided so that homes could be secured at a minimum of cost, and under advantageous conditions in the matter of repayments. Government offices have been deluged with applications, and it has been found impossible to do other than provide substantial sums annually, deal with the applicants as promptly and liberally as possible, and thus gradually relieve the pressure. But requests for Government loans have continued to pour in since the establishment of the scheme, and, naturally, there have been disappointments. ■

At one period there was such a wild and frenzied rush for loans that the Government issued a warning note. Orders for dwellings, large and small, were being placed with builders in anticipation of Government advances, and when these failed to materialise at the psychological moment, there was consternation, followed by indignant upbraidings of the Government and its methods.

In many cases the over-eagerness of the home-seeker, and the carelessness of the builder, were primarily the cause of the trouble, and not a department working at top speed, or a Government providing all the 1 money it could scrape up for the purpose. In Wellington, fortunately, a halt was called, and out of the chaos came order—and a chastened community. It was discovered—just in time—that the Treasury was not an Aladdin’s cave, nor the Finance Minister a necromancer who could conjure up millions from the air. If this realisation comes to the Auckland deputation of builders, all will be well. We confidently expect that they will apprehend the stupendous nature of the task the Government has essayed, and acknowledge its remarkable achievements. As to whether the suggested board of business men would expedite matters, it is questionable if half a dozen boards could secure the enormous amount necessary to satisfy the general public. It is characteristic of the Prime Minister that he has acted promptly, and has allayed the fears of the Auckland builders. The latter’s representative states that already a’ settlement is in sight, due.to Mr Coates’s grasp of the position and far-reaching efficiency, and that in this connection he is sustaining his reputation as “the man who gets things done.”