HOUSING SHORTAGE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160725, 11 August 1920, Page 9

HOUSING SHORTAGE

PLIGHT OF THE WOMEN. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 10. A deputation of women waited on the Minister of Labour to-day to place !;c----inre him the position they found themsolve< 'in owing to the shortage of houses. Incidentally it was mentioned that already -500 applications had been received for six Government houses, which would be completed in a month or six weeks. Air Fraser. M.P., who introduced the deputation, said it was urged that all erection should be stopped until there were sufficient houses for the needs of the people, or there should be legislation passed that where a landlord turns out a tenant he must be prepared to find equivalent accommodation elsewhere. One speaker referred to week-end batches at the seaside, and urged that the needs of many people could be met if those places were thrown open to them. In one house of twelve rooms, u stone’s throw from Parliament buildings. there were eleven families living.

Other eases of overcrowding and hardship were cited by other speakers.

Sir W. H. Henries said he would place the matter before his colleagues. The Government was endeavouring to push ahead with the building of houses. The trouble was that the more restrictions that wore placed on landlords the more would people have to depend on the Government for the building of houses, and the Government could not meet tho immediate needs of all. Tenders were being called for a further 262 houses and the Government was inquiring into all quick methods of construction. The urgent need was recognised, and the Government was bringing down legislation to increase the powers of local bodies. Regarding convictions, the Hon. Herrics said that it was not right to evict women. Kc understood that in some cases the landlords had acted in a most arbitrary manner.