STATE HOUSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26543, 19 August 1947, Page 6

STATE HOUSING

DUNEDIN DEVELOPMENT CITY COUNCIL’S PROVISO “PIECE OF SHOWMANSHIP” Stating that he considered that a recommendation put forward by the Works Committee meant nothing, but was “a clever piece of showmanship,” Cr McMillan moved an amendment to it at the three-weekly meeting of the City Council last night i Tne recommendation was:—“That the department of Housing Construction be advised in reply to its inquiry as to housing development in and around Dunedin- that the City Council will approve any extension of. city development by the Housing Department, provided that such development involves no increase in the net burden on city ratepayers, and will be pleased to discuss any proposals in this light.” Amendment Moved Cr McMillan moved as an amendment: “That the Department of Housing Construction be advised that the City Council will be pleased to discuss any proposals with it.” Moving the amendment, Cr McMillan said that the Housing Construction Department would not be able to erect a single house without increasing the burden to the ratepayers. Cr Connolly, M.P., said the recommendation was not as clear as it could have been. Some people thought that no rates were paid on State houses in Dunedin, but the rates were about £l3 a year. In other cities, on unimproved value rating, the rates were about £9. If the State, erected 1000 houses, the difference in the rate might be a consideration in deciding on their location. In his opinion the amendment would clear pp the position in the minds of ratepayers. Co-operation with Department Cr Barr said that he took exception to Cr McMillan’s statement that the recommendation was a i clever fciece of showmanship. The City Council had been told by the Housing Department that it had co-operated better than any other council in ' New Zealand. Cr Taverner, questioned whether either the recommendation or the amendment was necessary in view of the satisfaction that had been expressed by the department. “While Cr McMillan sees no merit in - the recommendation, the amendment means nothing.” said the chairman of the Works Committee, Cr Ireland, ,in his reply. He added that the Housing Department was deeply concerned at the capital cost of its houses. The effect of the recommendation was that the general rate of 2s 5d should not be increased because of the development of any area. Any area developed should be abje to carry itself along. When, the amendment was put to a division, it was supported by Crs McMillan, Walls, M.P., Connolly, MJP., Hudson, M.P., Connelly, M.L.C., and Blain. The Mayor, Mr Cameron, and Crs McCrae, Ireland, Barr, Wright, Jolly and Taverner voted against it. The original recommendation was then carried.

Those present at the meeting were the Mayor, and Crs Connelly, M.L.C., Taverner, Jolly, Wright, Barr, Ireland, Hudson, M.P., McCrae, Walls, M.P., Connolly, M.P., McMillan, and Blain.