RURAL HOUSING SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 8

RURAL HOUSING SCHEME

POSSIBILITIES IN SOUTHLAND HON. A. HAMILTON MEETS COUNTY COUNCILLORS The possibilities of rural housing in Southland were discussed by- the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) with members of the Wallace and Southland County Councils yesterday. “Rural housing is a subject that has been prominently before Parliament for the last year or two. There is no doubt that a problem of this nature exists, the solution of which could be counted one of the most urgent social and economic problems,” said Mr Hamilton. “It may be approached from two different angles. The first is the necessity I in a country of New Zealand’s type of economy to keep population in the country districts. It is a fact that for many years now rural areas have not been able to make the proper effort to absorb their own increase in population—or at least the large proportion of it that is essential to progress and development. That it is desirable that rural areas make this effort is beyond question.

“It has been argued, even at times by professors of economics, that it is a good sign to see population leaving agricultural parts for the big towns and cities, as that indicates a change-over from primary to secondary industries. This argument can be sustained only if the increase in the city populations thus resulting leads to export trade by secondary industry sufficient to take the place of export of primary produce.

“It can be contended today by some that population is being attracted to the cities by better pay for the comparative amount of effort required, and other similar reasons associated with material gain, pleasure and convenience. This unquestionably is an aspect of the problem which requires separate and close investigation and consideration.

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY? “The second approach to the question must meet the admitted need to house rural workers satisfactorily. Agricultural and primary production still look like continuing to be for some long period yet our main—practically our entire—source of exports. The exports of any country largely contribute its real wealth. If workers are to be retained in or attracted to rural occupations they must have the opportunity to marry with the prospect of suitable housing conditions. It is a I fact today that even many farmers’ .sons when they want to marry have to go to town to obtain a suitable home. It is, therefore, essential that the proI blem be attacked from the point of view | of providing good married living conditions for rural workers. If this were done there is no doubt that it would greatly assist to provide plenty of suitable applicants for these positions. “The problem thus becomes whose job is it to see that the homes are built. It is not fair to ask the workers to do it. It is primarily the duty of the farmer, but many are not in a financial position to carry that duty into practice. It is also undeniable that the task must not be neglected on that account. A way must be found to overcome all the complications of suitable securities for those who have to find the capital for the work.

Some say that the Government should do the job. They say that the Government has taken over the job in the cities and towns, so why not on the farms? The position is entirely different. In the towns and the cities the home is an entirely independent unit. In the country it is an integral part of the farming unit and cannot be separated. In my judgment rural housing is a work that must have the best local knowledge and personal supervision. It is not, therefore, a suitable work for a central Government.

REASONABLE SYSTEM “The local authority in control of country interests is the county council and the Government has decided to place the responsibility for rural housing with the counties. They surely have the local knowledge and can give a measure of personal supervision. They are also vested with rating authorities, and it is by this method that the Government has overcome in a practical and equitable way the difficulty of providing finance for homes on rural lands that are subject to mortgage or mortgages. “The system adopted seems quite reasonable, and I am of the opinion that the various counties should accept this added responsibility and get on with the job. Seeing that they are the only local authority they must go tfhead or else the job would have to be done in a way not so suitable. The State Advances will find the money at 3 per cent, and the county can lend it -to suitable applicants at 3J per cent. The method of procedure is cheapened in every way and the country’s risk is negligible. It would be a great boon to have thousands of homes built throughout New Zealand under this scheme.” Mr Hamilton went on to discuss in detail with the members of county councils the machinery and procedure involved. He said that the various points that had been raised concerning the possible application of the scheme and the procedure to be adopted would be taken up by him with the department when he returned to Wellington.