SUGGESTIONS FOR HOUSING PROBLEM

Chronicle (Levin), 20 May 1946, Page 5

SUGGESTIONS FOR HOUSING PROBLEM

WELLINGTON, May 19". The need . to ensure all available building niaterials for homes was s'tressed by the" Council of tlie New Zcaland Homeservie,emen 's Association at a meeting- which concluded in Wellington today. The council decided to ask tlie Government to give urgent consideration to the following proposals dcsigned to relieve the worst feature of tlic- present housing shortage and rehabilitation difhculties: Luxury building should be stopped; the building of business premises should cease unless they are declared essential by a competent authority; all existing building permits should be recalled and should be considered by Rehabilitation committees before being reissued. The need to suppress black marketing in building niaterials was stress,ed by spea'kers. It was stated alterngtiye building niaterials which the State "Ad-~ vanc.es Department housing- department would not allow to be used in dwelbngs, were available and it -was decided to ask the Minister of Rehabilitation to pr.ess for the cdntrol and nse .of. su.ch niaterials. Tlie view was expressed tli.at in the present .emergency, State honses eompleted except forv minqr detajlls, should be made available for occ.upation. It was d.ec.ided to urge that eajnps, tjie whole or part of wlrich could b.e used for transit lionsipg, should "be ha.nd.ed , .ov.er to local bodies immediateiy for [that purpose. : - - y