HOUSING POSITION

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1190, 8 October 1945, Page 2

HOUSING POSITION

IN CAMBRIDGE NEEDS OF SERVICEMEN Mr F. H. Anderson, chairman of the Rehabilitation Auxiliary, asks us to publish the following statement of the position of housing for servicemen in the district. "It may be queried why Cambridge citizens are being asked to financially subscribe to the building of the "Kiwi" Flats project; why are Cambridge servicemen at a greater disadvantage in regard to housing than in other towns in the Waikato? The main answer can be given in the fact that since the beginning of 1943 only two State houses have been allocated to returned servicemen or their relatives. Comparative figures for other towns (such as Te Awamutu) where eight returned .servicemen have received houses in the past 12 months show that in all other'towns in the Waikato returned servicemen are in a much more advantageous position in regard to State housing. The "responsibility for this state of affairs need not be discussed because it cannot now be remedied. But what can be done is to give financial support to the auxiliary in its "Kiwi" Flats project so that houses can be made available for the servicemen until more State houses are built or they can build their own. "The Government gives returned servicemen an allocation of 50/50 with civilians on all State houses built—ithat will possibly gb r e four returned servicemen houses in the next 12 months. Where „ would the servicemen stand without the "Kiwi" Flats? The Auxiliary's projects cannot be completed without more monies being subscribed by the citizens of Cambridge. The country people have f<Jr the most part, done their share, so it is now up to those Cambridge citizens who have not already been canvassed to do their part.