RURAL HOUSING SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 28, 28 November 1944, Page 6

RURAL HOUSING SCHEME

POLICY OF GOVERNMENT

FARMERS DI SCOUR AG ED

Disappointment at I lie unhelpful attiLude. of the Department of Housing in regard to rural housing construction wa.s expressed al: flic monthly meeting of the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Fanners' l T nion on November IT). An Executive member said he had written to the Director of the Department intimating his intention to build a ''Type E Rural House" (fixed al £750 cash) himself stating that he was milling his. own logs, and asking to bo allowed priority in purchase-of roofing and other materials required. The Director's reply promised tp furnish plan and specification but concluded: "I regret that under pre-, sent conditions I cannot grant you any special purchasing or supply privileges." A discussion of the two permanent types of rural houses listed at £980 and £750 cash respectively showed that, thc&e were regarded as being far too costly for the average farmer who requires a house for an employee. It was felt that the total omission from the so-called "rural housing scheme" of any provision whatever lor the farmer who was prepared to build a house himself was a great mistake. The following remit from the Whangarei Sub-provincial Executive dealing with the matter was adopted unanimously and is to be forwarded to the Minister: "That as we regard the permanent houses in the rural housing scheme as too expensive for the average farmer we ask that provision be, made for the. ■Jarmcr who is prepared himself to build a house up to Government design. It is suggested that the provision of standardised joinery and hardware at cost, priority in timber and rofiing materials, with a subsidy of 10 per cent on cost as provided in initiating the original housing scheme, would result in the erection of many houses that would otherwise not be built," An Executive member said that < using his own labour and material from the, farm he expected to build a house, to the Government plan for about £400. Following a remit from the Northern Wairoa Sub-provincial Executive it was decided to protest against the action of the Government in connection with the, compulsory purchase by Government inspectors,, of farmers' logs that are sent to mills for cutting into timber required for necessary farm purposes, including the erection of muchneeded farm houses.