“SQUATTERS” EJECTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 5

“SQUATTERS” EJECTED

INCIDENT IN SYDNEY

BELONGINGS IN THE STREET (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 9. In the latest move in the war be- * ween homeless “ squatters ” and the authorities the police and contractors, ejected three families who had taken' possession of homes belonging to the Housing Commission. The houses, which are in the late stages of construction, were to have been occupied to-morrow by the winners of a housing ballot. Earlv this morning three families were still in the street, with their belongings. The Minister for Housing, Mr J. McGirr. supported the eviction, and said that Housing Commission officers were convinced that the “ squatting " attempt had been organised by the Communist party.

A fourth family, which had been allotted a house but moved into a bigger one, is still in possession. The families moved from the Housing Commission’s emergency settlement, to which thev refuse to return The eviction action was taken after leval consultation, which established that, until a house was handed over and naid for it was the property of the builder, who was responsible for anv artion which was taken against trespassers.