HOUSING IMPROVEMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 270, 15 November 1945, Page 8

HOUSING IMPROVEMENT

OPPOSITION AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs.. Nov. 12. After considering local Bills this afternoon the House of Representatives went into committee on the Housing Improvement Bill, which had been reported back with amendments on October 26. Mr. W. Sullivan (Opp., Bay of Plenty) thanked the Minister for the manner in which amendments suggested by the Opposition had been accented and written into the Bill, particularly the amendment which gave a local 'body the option as to whether or not any work under the Bill should be applied to houses on native land. The Minister of Housing, Mr. Semple, said he had decided from the outset to be as reasonable on this Bill as possible without affecting its fundamental. principles or making it unworkable. and he appreciated the reception the House and the Committee had given the Bill. Everyone knew that horrible buildings which existed in our main cities should not be allowed to remain. This measure for .the first time in our history gave local bodies and the Government power to clean up these slum areas when the opportunity presented itself. Mr. Semple said the compromise in regaid to native housing should suit local bodies. Had the option not been given hardship would have been caused, while it would have been unfair to strike out the whole of the original clause without substituting anything for It. - The Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed.