SOLDIERS' DIFFICULTIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13795, 27 March 1919, Page 5

SOLDIERS' DIFFICULTIES.

• At a meeting of the executive of tho Wellington War Relief Association yesterday, Mr L .0. 11. Tripp moved: —

That, owing to the shortage of houses in the largo towns of New Zealand, the Government at once proceed to erect houses in the principal centres, and that the houses when built shtuld be sold to the soldiers at easy terms; that a. copy of this resolution should be sent to tho ActingPrime Minister, tho chairman of the Repatriation Board, the municipal authorities, and the chairman of tho Town-Planning Association. Mr Tripp .said that his reason for bringing the matter up was the tremendous shortage of houses. '' Latterly, '.' he added, "we have I'omo across many cases where soldiers have found ditiii'ulty in getting houses, and women in getting rooms. The Government is advancing up to £1000 to soldiers who want to buy houses. That is a very good thing, but it seems to me that it would be much better if the Government built the houses. Tho Government, should bu able to build houses cheaper than others. Mr G. Shirtcliffe: I should like to see tho resolution worded "Government and municipal corporations. "•' Mr ,1. llutckrson ?.:\'u[ that if used to be thought that the presence rr , the military camps caused the house- shortage in Wellington, but now that the camps were broken up the house problem was as great as ever. Mr Tripp: 1 don't qnow if the municipal corporations could build houses for the people. Mr Hutdieson: They could build houses for tlrjii" sjiiipioyp-js and relieve the pressure for the public. Mr James Mclntosh: The limit of the Advances to bottlers is £450, and you cannot do anything with that. Members: No. Mr Mclntosh: I think we should ask for this restriction to be removed. That would help. Mr Hutch eson: I think the whole gravamen of the situation lies on tho Repat nat i on Boar<ls. The motion was carried. Mr James Mclntosh moved: That the Government be urged to remove the limitation placed on the amounts advanced by tho Advances to Workers and the Advances to Settlers , Department, in order that soldiers may bo enabled to acquire houses for themselves under the provisions of the Acts. This was agreed to.