RURAL HOUSING PROBLEM

Southland Times, Issue 25482, 30 September 1944, Page 6

RURAL HOUSING PROBLEM

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF DELAYING WORK “There has been so much procrastination with the .problem of rural housing, not only by this Government, but by previous Governments, that I have lost hope that anything will ever be done to build houses for rural workers. We are in the same position as we were 20 years ago. Rural workers want houses owned by themselves, not houses owned by the farmers,” said Mr R. Sim at the meeting of the Invercargill District Council of Primary Production yesterday, when rural housing was under discussion. A letter was received from the National Council of Primary Production stating that the scheme for rural housing outlined by the Invercargill council was discussed. However, officers representing the departments concerned outlined financial difficulties which would arise and a decision was made to proceed no further with the scheme.

The Invercargill council in its proposals had suggested that Government houses for rural workers should be built at suitable sites in the country in the same way as State houses are built in the towns.

A letter on rural housing from the Tirau Council of Primary Production stated: “The position is acute and is rapidly becoming worse. Many farms are understaffed. With servicemen returning in increasing numbers something must be done quickly in the direction of providing for every married man intending to engage in farming pursuits a dwelling which will be not merely a house, but a home incorporating the conveniences and realities of the ‘Churchill’ house.”