The Southland Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1945. Social Effects of Housing

Southland Times, Issue 25740, 2 August 1945, Page 4

The Southland Times THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1945. Social Effects of Housing

A CLERGYMAN in Melbourne was reported yesterday to have refused to marry a young couple who intended living with their “in-laws.” “It is no use marrying people,” he said, “if the marriage is going to be spoiled by parents.” There was, of course, a psychological truth in this, though it scarcely justified a refusal to officiate at a wedding. In any case, if the two young people are quite certain that they cannot live apart from each other, it will not take them long to find an obliging clergyman—or, alternatively, a registrar who will dispose of the matter in five minutes. The incident is worth noticing, however, as an example of the social effects of the housing shortage. Much has been written of practical needs and remedies; but less has been heard of psychological reactions that may have some lasting effect on the national outlook. Although there have been other housing, shortages, the present situation in New Zealand can be described as a crisis. In the overcrowded cities of the north, where cases classified as “desperately urgent” are numbered in thousands, many people must be living in slum conditions. Most of them, no doubt, could afford to live in decent homes if the homes were available. The tests of security are not merely, as they used' to be, an adequate income and regular employment, but also the right to occupy a house or flat without fear of dispossession. It is possible that in more' favourable times there would be something like a drift to the south. But the average man does not lightly undertake the cost of shifting his family and furniture to remote parts of the country. Nor does he give up a job on the chance of finding something equally suitable. In spite of a general prosperity, most families must still be careful in the disposal of their savings. Overcrowded houses (and there must be too many of them in New ■ Zealand today) are not likely to ; foster the better qualities of family | life. If leisure cannot be spent toler-, | ably at home, more time will be | spent on the streets and in public I places of amusement. A large, or even a modest, family becomes an encumbrance. There have been reports of drastic measures taken by fathers made desperate and aggressive by the failure to obtain a bare shelter for their children. Domestic jars and strains, unavoidable in any environment, are magnified into emotional conflicts when they occur in cramped quarters. It will be surprising if present conditions do not have an adverse effect on the statis-

tics for social problems. But what of the long-term results? If it is true that people today are thinking more intently and possessively about houses than at any other time in the country’s history, it seems inevitable that the attitude towards property will take a new and lasting strength. Men and women will not quickly forget that the ownership of a home gives them a true title to security. Even the tenants of State houses, uneasily aware of the thousands waiting and eager to replace them, may now be feeling that their safety would be absolute if they were permitted to buy. The depression left a widespread fear of poverty—a fear which ever since has had its marked effect in politics. People who imagined then that money could solve all their problems are discovering now that there are other and wider meanings for security. It may be found when the housing shortage has been overcome that the nation’s roots have gone a little deeper. A wise Government, taking note of these tendencies, would make it easier for wage-earn-ers to buy their own homes. To deny the instinct to acquire and possess, in the present circumstances, is to wave back an incoming tide.