REHABILITATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 28, 28 November 1944, Page 5

REHABILITATION

MINISTER ELUCIDATES

PARTY MEMBERS AND R.S.A.

At a meeting held in the Borough Chambers- on the evening of November 15 returned servicemen and members; of the Awakeri Edgecumbe and Whakatane branches of the Labour Party met Mr Skinner, Minister of Lands and Rehabilitation.

The meeting was chaired by Mr D. Alexander, of Edgecumbe. More than 70 persons "were present.

After Mr Skinner was introduced to the. audience, he went on to relate his experiences during -liis tour of England during which time he addressed some 128 meetings. Great damage had been done by bombing and score.s of houses still had sacks carpets etc. over the painless win(lows) and lino etc. over holes in the roof. Rehabilitation up till July 194.3 had not been considered in England said Mr Skinner and U.S.A. South Africa and Australia were in almost similar positions. As for housing he had not seen any new homes being built during his tour.

New Zealand seemed to be well in the forefront as- far as housing and rehabilitation was concerned and figures were given by the Minister to substantiate, this statement. Five hundred men now settled on farms, 1600 had received loans for housing 800 placed into business, 43 more men placed on ,to farms last month, 3700 interest free loans had been granted 284 men had received tools of trade; 3000 houses were now under construction in New Zealand and at least 50 per cent of these would go to returned men. Returned men could have their own homes built at 1940 prices the extra cost being made up by the Government Which had not to be paid back providing the house, was not sold by the owner. Transfers to other districts would be arranged for those servicemen wishing to take another home 'elsewhere. The limit of loans for house building was £1500. As- far as buying existing homes was concerned some allowance would be made but less than for new homes. There was; also some hope of interest on loans being reduced and when asked if it would be made retrospective the Minister replied that J:hat also would lie considered. It was also the Government's intention to build 1200 homes per annum. Prefabrication was also given some mention by Mr Skinner who said that much time was saved in erection in this way but that prices were very little less than houses built on the site. Unforunately prefabrication meant a certain amount, of standardisation in design but the reshuffling of rooms could still be obtained. Prices of prefabricated houses would be less than those built on the sight where very large contracts were given. 1700 servicemen were now in their own homes and 2000 j were in State houses.

Many towns had made application for the establishing of trade training centres in their districts- but unfortunately sufficient tools for these centres were not available.

'A certain amount of opposition had been shown by business people to the granting of, loans to servicemen setting up businesses in certain districts-. Some business people had even gone so far as to-say that, they would close them up by competition. The position was very difficult but much assistance had been given by the Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs to returned men in this matter. Opposition had also been shown by tradesmen in the learning of those men who were out of trade training centres. The Trade Uniori movement however was- in favour of the Government schemes

and were giving every assistance possible. The settling of soldiers on the land was given particular attention by the Minister as many problems were, to be faced. It was not just a question of buying up blocks of land—clearing them and settling men on them wire was- exceptionally hard to get,' so were posts, some posts were being made by Japanese labour in New Zealand which reduced their cost considerably. Fertiliser was another great piobleni as it. could not be used to any great extent in the opening up of new farms because the farms already producing would have to go short. This could not be done as the country would lose by it. Som3 of the. blocks bought by the Government had to be abandoned as too much fertiliser was required to help them in production with the present inadequate. supply. Onci hundred and twenty blocks were to be developed which amounted to some 250, 000 acres halj of which was iif the rough and 25 per

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