PLANNING IN N.Z

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24897, 10 June 1946, Page 4

PLANNING IN N.Z

ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF WORKS HOUSING FILM SCREENED A Public Works Department film on housing in New Zealand was shown publicly for the first time in Christchurch last evening. After the screening the Minister of Works (the Hon R. Semple) gave a short address on planning. The Mayfair Theatre was almost full. Mr J. Roberts, chairman of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, presided. In his address. Mr Semple said it had been suggested by the Government’s opponents that State houses should be sold. “What a dreadful thing that would be for the happy tenants,” said Mr Semple. “Those houses have been built for people who have not the money to pay a deposit. Why should they not have homes?”

He said 4000 people with State mortgages had been evicted during the deDression. although they had been paying interest for years. Because a manmade calamity was forced on to them they were forced into the streets. “Do you want a repetition of that?” he asked. “Well, be careful, or you might get it” Mr Semple added that if he were to go out of office this year—and he was not going to. he said, though a lot of people would tike it—his successor would have the best machinery in the world and a scientific plan for the development of the whole of New Zealand.

A vcjice: They would sell them. However. Mr Semple said, he trusted the people.