THE SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1946, Page 9

THE SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

Sir,—The Government are always raising the bugbear that if they let people have the right to buy the State houses there would be a great wave of speculative buying. They profess to have a great regard for lite poor unfortunates who want house,. just like Judas Iscariat, who complained of the ointment that was used instead of being sold, and the proceeds given to the poor. “Not that he cared for the poor," but he "had the bag. and bare what was put therein." It they had as tender a regard for the poor homeless as they profess, they would bestir themselves and build houses and encourage other people to build houses, too. A thing they certainly do not do, or intend to do. The member for Christchurch South said just lately, “The Government have done more for education than its predecessors. A typical instance of its care for children was the fact. that. 234,000 children were now receiving milk in schools." Biu he never said how many children were homeless because of the policy of the Government.

The Government's policy is to own everything. It does not matter what the people suffer, everything is to be controlled by influential members of the Cabinet, who first rose, by getting up on to a soap box. If the Government or anyone else built houses in such quantities that there were plenty of them, there would be no speculation, which the Government say they are so afraid of; because there would be no prospective shortage. If there were more houses than people needing them, the prices would fall without any Government, management. It is scarcity that makes prices rise. The position is that the Government. like the dog in the manger, will neither build houses for themselves, nor lei. anyone do it, and until they are turned out of office this will continue, and a lot of homeless people will suffer, many of whom fought for us.—“GLASTONBURY."