MANUKAU SEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20535, 29 September 1936, Page 12

MANUKAU SEAT

■ LABOUR’S CAMPAIGN MR LEE LAUDS HOUSING SCHEME By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, September 28. "I feel that we are going to succeed and that we can administer the State’s credit to create tangible assets of value to the nation’s home life and health,” c.;id Mr J. A. Lee, M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Controller of the National Housing Scheme, in an election address at Onehunga to-night, when he forecast the future of the Dominion as a result of the Government’s building programme. “I want your prayers rather than your cries for expediency because I do not want to issue verbal cheques until there are houses in our banking account,” said Mr Lee. He spoke of the unique features of the scheme, saying it was (he first time in the history of a democratic country that the financial system had been used for the purpose of bettering the lot of the people as a whole. Building was i great employe- of unskilled labour, and since the Government’s announcement of its scheme more than half the members of the Opposition had referred to the soundness and sanity of it. They now realised that the halting of building activity had been the cause of widespread misery. “New Zealand has known a shortage of houses for many years, but Labour's programme of assisting people to find their feet is going to make the position more acute than it has evei been, and it must do something to relieve it,” Mr Lee said. Instead of sending young men into slave compounds. breaking their hearts and pieventing their marrying, Labour, intended to give them an income so chat they might fulfil their rightful destiny in marrying, lhey would want homes and the State would have to build lor them. The scheme had no-

thing to do with the State Advances scheme which would continue as at present. Under the housing scheme land ,was to be acquired and homes that were homes would be erected. In certain features, such as sewage appliances and gas stoves, they would be alike, but the scheme would be so planned that 500 or 600 houses would be erected at a time with no two the same in external appearance. As far as possible it was intended to build them with New Zealand materials. It was hoped that the co-operation of the building trade would be secured. The trade would be assured of a fair deal, but if any person or organisation tried to extort undue profits thereby creating an unfair loading cost on the houses, the Government would take steps to deal with them and, if necessary, go into business Itself. “We are faced with a shortage of skilled building craftsmen, a legacy from the last Government,” said Mr Lee. “However, we intend to discuss with Labour organisations which have been sympathetic toward us the matter of training young men to be craftsmen. We intend to give them the opportunity that was denied them during the depression of learning a trade. “Thousand of people have already written asking for one of our houses,” Mr Lee concluded. “When the time comes they will be allotted fairly. The scheme will be a long continuing one, providing healthy work for every virile young man in New Zealand. The basis of the future prosperity of the Dominion lies in the home life of its people. Eventually it is hoped to extend the scheme for the benefit of deserving farmers who are as much entitled to it as any city dweller.” QUICKENING OF INTEREST By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, September 28. The approach of the Manukau byelection made itself felt by a quickening in the tension at the meeting of the National candidate, Mr F. W. Doidge, at Onehunga to-night. Displays of enthusiasm by supporters of either side were frequent and cheers for Mr Doidge and his opponent were given at frequent intervals. Before Mr Doidge's speech addresses were given

by Mr F. M. Fisher, former Cabinet Minister, and Mr J. Hargest, M.P. for Awarua.

Mr Fisher rejected the claim of the Government that it was following the ideals of the Liberal regime of the 90’s. In those days taxation was oneeighth of what it was to-day. The Liberal Government took the precaution of proceeding with its great measures with reasonable speed but admirable discretion, so that the country had time to digest the new legislation. A repetition of his challenges to Mr Doidge to substantiate his statements relating to guaranteed prices, unemployment figures and immigration was made to-night by the Laboifr candidate. Mr A. G. Osborne, who read a telegram from the Prime Minister congratulating him on the fight he had made in the campaign.