FRANK DISCUSSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26437, 16 April 1947, Page 6

FRANK DISCUSSION

AID FOR SERVICEMEN HOUSING AND LAND SETTLEMENT DUNEDIN NOT OVERLOOKED Major problems affecting the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen—the provision of houses and the settlement of qualified men on the land—were discussed by the \Director of Rehabilitation, Mr F. Baker, at a conference with the Executive Committee of the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association last night. After stating that the houseing position in Dunedin was no different from that which existed m other parts of the country, and that, contrary to the opinion held locally, Dunedin was not being overlooked to the advantage of any other part of the Dominion, Mr Baker said that local organisations could help his department by concentrating on some of their regional problems and using their influence to assist in the provision of preferential treatment for ex-service-men.

Mr Baker was accompanied by the chairman of the local Rehabilitation Committee (Mr W. R. Clarke), and the rehabilitation officer (Mr F. C. Hay), and the members of the R.S.A. executive oresent were Messrs S. P. Cameron (president), W. G. Nicholson, W. E. Earnshaw, R. S. Orr, K. W. Stewart, D. L. Wood, A. J. H. Jeavons, D. Forsyth, W. K. Cameron, W. P. Wellington, and N. G. Stewart. The chairman said it was felt that the land settlement policy in the South Island whs proceeding too slowly. Properties were not being opend up and men who were fully qualified to do' so were not receiving the opportunity to take up farming. It was felt that the country would lose many trained men if the policy were not accelerated. Furthermore, it was felt that the south was also being neglected so far as housing was concerned. Housing Requirements The housing position in Dunedin was placed before the director by Mr Wellington, who said that he had conducted a housing survey of the city, and was dismayed at the position in which hundreds of returned servicemen found themselves. Homes were being broken up, and health was impaired by the bad conditions in which many of the men and their families had to live. There were over 830 ex-servicemen applicants for houses, and questions which he considered were reasonable were: (1) Why were more houses not being built in Dunedin? (2) Why did other places receive much better treatment than Dunedin, on a population basis? In reply, Mr Baker said that his department had a record of all exservicemen applicants for houses. At February 28 the department had put 6500 men into State houses, and had a waiting list of 15,200 throughout the country. That meant, that two and ahalf times as many men were waiting for houses as had been housed. On that basis, the figures for Dunedin appeared to be the same as. those in other centres. Every district claimed to have been forgotten, but the fact was that the problem was Dominionwide. In Wellington, 3145 ex-service-men and 10,000 civilians were waiting for State houses, as against 808 ex-ser-vicemen and 1303 civilians in Dunedin. In Auckland there were 5220 ex-ser-vicemen and 14,625 civilians on thewaiting list. On account of the shortage of certain essential materials, it would surprise him if the over-all .building figures for the year ended March 31 exceeded 6000. Local Problems Encountered

The Rehabilitation Department had tried to arrange things so that ex-ser-vicemen should receive certain -preferences, Mr Baker continued. That had produced results, quite apart from-the building of State houses. Throughout New Zealand the number of houses acquired under loans totalled , 14,119. and 5500 men had actally built new houses. There were local problems regarding the provision of certain materials and fittings, and it was possible that the R.S.A. might be able to assist the department in this resDect. Mr Forsyth asked If some relaxation <in the standard of fittings and materials in State houses would assist in ' their being completed more speedily. Mr Baker replied that the Housing Department felt that it was being unfairly treated already in' that it had to use material thait other builders would no use. The hold-up was largely the result of the lack of materials. In order to keep men occupied on building projects, it had been found necessary to keep them working with the available materials, with the result that there were many houses left in the frame stage. Mr Clarke explained that the Housing' Department was already using pinus timber in State houses, while tin baths, when procurable, were also being installed. It was a policy of the Rehabilitation -Department to make a two-monthly survey of the houses under construction, and he and Mr Hay had been able to hasten the completion of certain houses by concentrating supplies on them to ensure their being made ready for occupation. Land .Settlement Criticised The subject of land settlement was referred to Mr Baker by Mr W. K. Cameron, who said that the delay in putting the policy into effect in Otago was causing concern. Single units were not being offered, as vendors stated that the Government was holding enough land already to settle a considerable number of ex-service-men, and he asked if pressure could be brought to bear to have that land opened up without delay. Mr Cameron said that more consideration could be given to the use of third-class pastoral, country. The priority of housing work on settlement projects, and a reconsideration of the Rehabilitation Department’s decision regarding the settlement of men on land suitable for fruit-farming, were also recommended by Mr Cameron. Mr Baker said he intended to consult the commissioner of. Crown lands in Otago regarding the position concerning blocks taken over for settlement. Priority for housing on settlement blocks could be arranged, but the difficulty lay in finding someone to build the houses. Regarding the settlement of undeveloped lands, a major policy was involved, for the Government was not prepared to develop properties that would involve a capital loss. If a group of men could acquire a property and develop it without any writing-off of capital, then the Government would be prepared to consider the ' proposition. That was a position which, however, would occur but rarely. Establishment of Orchards

Regarding the settlement of men on orchards, Mr Baker said that the department was prepared to put up money for the acquisition of land and capital improvements, provided the land was suitaole and had water, but the question of subsidising the men until the orchards came into production wqs a different matter. The men would have to make some other arrangements to carry them on for the period required until their orchards could support them. Mr Wellington said that what was required was a different policy in the South Island from that which now operated in both islands of the Dominion.

The chairman thanked Mr Baker for discussing current problems so frankly.