MODIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR TRANSIT HOUSES

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 October 1950, Page 5

MODIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR TRANSIT HOUSES

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—Modifications of the plans for the Government’s temporary housing scheme were announced tonight by the Minister in Charge of Housing Construction (Mr Goosman). He said that the dividing walls between the flats would be constructed with fireresisting and noise-reducing material, and single units with three bedrooms would be erected to accommodate larger families. Multiple units would be varied as between two and fourunit construction to eliminate any tendency towards a monotonous appearance. The Minister made his announcement after a discussion with a combined deputation from the Federated Builders’ Association of Employers and the Federation of Labour with leaders of the building trades on the question of transit housing. Mr Goosman stated subsequently that he was pleased to have the opportunity of discussing the whole subject in order that misunderstandings could be cleared up and so that a solution satisfactory to all parlies concerned with the building of transit accommodation could be reached. The Minister said he assured the deputation that he was most anxious to see everybody in New Zealand adequately housed and that there was not the slightest intention of substituting these transit flats for proper standard homes. As a result of the conference unanimous agreement was reached on several questions which had been raised. After outlining the modifications the Minister said that, in general, other slight changes would be made. 'Mr Goosman said he had emphasised ihat on no account would he agree to the use of critical material which would interfere with permanent house building, nor could he agree to any changes in plans which would unduly affect the speed at which transit accommodation could be built for those people who had been living for so long under deplorable condiions in tents, old caravans and other such buildings.