HOUSING PROBLEM.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 28 July 1920, Page 4

HOUSING PROBLEM.

SOLUTIONS SUGGESTED. MINISTER SAYS HOUSING ACT WILL BE AMENDED. “I understand that a considerable number of builders and co-operative contractors are willing to tender to put up cottages, which are very badly needed in this and other towns,” said Dr. Newman (Wellington East) in the House of Representatives, “and I want to know whether the Government is willing to arrange with them so that the people can be housed?”

Sir William Hemes (Minister for Labor) replied that a deputation of builders and others had waited upon him that morning and put forward what seemed to him a very good scheme in regard to housing. The department was going into the matter, and he hoped that something would come of it. It was in which both the contractors and the representatives of labor were concerned, and he hoped to be able to carry it out before long.

Colonel Mitchell (Wellington South): In England they have public utility societies for housing purposes. Is the Minister aware of that? Sir William Herries: Yes. Colonel Mitchell: The idea might be utilised in New Zealand.

Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland South) asked the Minister if he would at an early date make known the scheme, so that Auckland and other centres could embark on a similar scheme. Sir William Herries said that he would be very happy to tell the House exactly what the scheme was siftoon as it was devolope'd. At present negotiations were going on between the representatives of Capital and Labor as to the details of the scheme. As soon as these were settled he would be glad to inform the House. He would also have to consult the Minister for Finance as to whether finance could be provided. There would, he added, be an amendment of the Housing Aet this session.