HOUSING SURVEYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 14

HOUSING SURVEYS

OVER-CROWDING IN DWELLINGS PROPOSED LEGISLATION OUTLINED. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 25. t Local authorities are required to make housing surveys within their respective districts preparatory to the inauguration of the Dominion housing scheme under the Housing Survey Bill, which was introduced by Governor-Generals Message in the House of Representatives shortly before midnight to-night. The Bill will apply to places with a population exceeding 1000 inhabitants. Local authorities are required to furnish particulars regarding the extent of overcrowding in dwellings, the standard of the buildings themselves, and the number of people detrimentally affected by the existing housing conditions. Power is given tor an inspection of dwelling houses with a penalty of £lO in cases of obstruction. The occupiers of houses are required to furnish written statements, if called on to do so, regarding the condition of then houses and the number of and the ages and sexes of the people living in them. Details of the surveys are to be furnished to the Minister of Internal Affaire The provisions of the Bill will automatically expire on December 31, 1936. . “The number of proposals to be given effect to next session seems to be evidence of the unbounded optimism of the Government.” said the Leader of the Opposition," Mr M. J. Savage. The Bill puts the responsibility on somebody else to do the work, but apart from that nothing can he said against it.