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Building Sites One of the first problems of a prospective home builder is finding a suitable site. It is the Government's policy to encourage private land owners and local authorities to develop areas suitable for subdivision into building sites, but at present there is an acute shortage of building land to which the normal municipal services of water and sewerage are available, especially in the larger towns. During the war local authorities were unable to extend these services, and land owners have been reluctant to subdivide sections in recent years because of increasing costs. Early this year the Government lifted urban land sales restrictions to encourage owners to release land for building sites. Already there has been a marked increase in the number of sections offering. To assist further in the provision of sites the Government is making available for private purchase as many as possible of its developed sections consistent with the demand for private and State building. Where insufficient sections are held the Government will acquire and develop land for sale. When acquiring land for private home builders the Government considers proximity to employment, transport, and other civic amenities as well as the need to keep costs at a reasonable level. Where the scope of the development warrants, reserves are held for recreational purposes. Allotment of Sections Not more than one section will be sold or leased to each applicant, but any prospective home builder may apply for several sections suited to his requirements. When he is successful in a ballot for a section, his name is automatically excluded from later ballots. If there is only one suitable applicant for any one section that applicant is allotted the site. Where a section is sought by more than one person, a ballot is held by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Sections are being offered to persons who wish to build houses immediately for their own occupation. Successful applicants are first granted a temporary lease for one year with rent charged at per cent, of the price. When the section holder gives proof of his arrangements to build, he may obtain in exchange for his temporary lease a permanent title. The Government began releasing sections to home builders in July, 1950, and in the first four months of the scheme more than five hundred sections were made available. Building Controls Relaxed In July of this year local bodies were given authority to issue building permits and this decentralized system, besides being more convenient for home builders, saves them delays. The floor space of each new dwelling has been increased by 200 square feet, and where large families are to be housed permits may be granted for larger houses. Within the normal maximum 0f.1600 square feet home builders now have more latitude in arranging room sizes to suit their own requirements. Joint Family Homes Act, 1950 To encourage families to invest money in their own homes the Government this year passed legislation to give increased protection of the home against claims by creditors and relief from the payment of death duties. The new Act aims at promoting a sense of dual ownership under which the family home will belong to both the husband and the wife, and will pass to the survivor on the death of either one of them. When one partner dies, no death duties will be paid where the home is valued under £2,000, nor will creditors be able to claim on this part of the estate.

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