HOUSING PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26077, 14 February 1946, Page 4

HOUSING PROBLEM

DUNEDIN'S FUTURE POLICY FIVE-YEAR PLAN URGED ADDRESS BY SIR JAMES FLETCHER “ There is no reason why a plan for the building of 5000 houses in Dunedin over the next five or six years should not be prepared,” said Sir James Fletcher at a conference in the Council Chamber yesterday to discuss the subject of housing generally. The Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron), who convened the meeting, presided over a large and representative attendance, which included Messrs P. G. Connolly, M.P., R: Walls, M.P., and P. Neilson, M.P., and M. Connelly, M.L.C., as well as members of the City Council and other local organisations. Also present were the Director of‘Housing (Mr G. W. Albertson), the Government housing architect (Mr G. F. Wilson), and the district supervisor of housing (Mr H. Stevens). Explaining the objects of the meeting. the Mayor said that the problem to be faced concerned housing for returned servicemen, civilians, and for University and Training College students coming to the city. Little Understood Problem “ Housing is one of the problems at present less understood than any other in connection with the economic structure of the country,” said Sir James in the opening remarks of his address to the meeting. There had been criticism of how little house building had been done since the outbreak of war, but he pointed out that no country except New Zealand had built permanent houses during the war. Under lend-lease, they were faced with the provision of temporary housing, which would have had to be abolished eventually, and it was only after considerable negotiation that the Government was able to carry on with the building of permanent houses of a good standard in New Zealand. The Dominion, in common with other countries, had to regulate the number of houses being built to the supplies of material that were available. Sir James continued. Manufacturers were advised of the direction in which weaknesses lay. and permits were issued for the building of factories. The speaker said also that there was a misconception of the proportion of privately-built houses to State houses. Over 6000 houses were at present under construction for private individuals and under 4000 for the State. . Sir James went on to review the advance in building costs, and said that in 1939 the building programme in the Dominion involved £13,000,000 worth of building, and at to-day’s prices the same amount of building would cost £20,000,000 or £21,000,000. In addition to the shortage of materials, he said, other factors affecting the position were that hospitals had to be extended, schools had to be built, certain factories had to be erected, and office accommodation had to be provided, some of this building being related to the return of men from overseas. Provision of Houses ' With the material at present available, Sir James said, the maximum amount that could be expended in housing was £ 12,000,000, which represented 12,000 houses. That was the number the Government had budgeted for. State and privately owned. The speeding up of house building generally was related to a number of other factors, among which was the provision of adequate housing facilities in sawmilling areas. Many men formerly engaged in the sawmilling industry who had been used to decent living conditions in the forces were not going to. be satisfied with “ bush shanties ’ in the future, and he did not blame them. If they could get 400 to 800 housing units in Tapanui, the King Country and other- areas, they would be, in a position to produce the timber, and some of their problems would be solved. . . ~ .. Dealing with the existing situation in Dunedin. Sir James Fletcher said that a comprehensive housing plan was absolutely necessary; The opening up of Kaikorai Valley was a step in the right direction. Plans for development in the north involved cities in a spread over a larger area, and this was the key to the housing problem in Otago and to the development of the city and the province. “ Dunedin went to sleep for a while, but with the establishment of the Development Council the younger element have seen that they have to take a hand,” the speaker continued. Leading men would have to get together and find a way of developing a major plan for the city. If the city went ahead with a comprehensive building scheme; it would have 100 per cent, co-operation from the Housing Department whether for State or privatelyowned houses. Student Accommodation Discussing the problem of finding accommodation for University students, the speaker said that for citizens to accept students as boarders was only a temporary measure. Within a stone’s throw there were camp buildings which the Government would release, and a hostel could be provided which would give accommodation for 200 or 300 students. This would solve the problem until a plan was developed for students’ houses in the city. ~ , “We can solve the* problem of housing within three or four years if there is proper organisation and full co-operation,” Sir James said in conclusion. “but without this it will take a much longer period.” A vote of thanks to Sir James Fletcher was proposed by Mr P. O. Smellie and carried by acclamation.