SQUATTER FAMILIES PUT OUT ON STREET

Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1946, Page 5

SQUATTER FAMILIES PUT OUT ON STREET

, oReceived Tuesday 7 p.m. SYDNEY, July 9. In the latest move in the war between homeless squatters and the authorities, police and contractors ejected three families avIio had taken possession of homes belonging to the Housing Commission. The houses, which are in late stages of construction, Avere to have been occupied tomorrow by the Avinners of the Housing ballot. Early tliis morning three families were still in the street with their belongings. The Minister of Ilousing, ]\lr. McGirr, supported the eviction and said tliat Housing Commission ofiieers were convinced that the squatting attempt had heen organised by the Communisl party. A fourtb family which had been balloted a house but which had moved into a bigger one, is still in possession.The families were moved from the Housing Commission 's emergency settlement to Avhich they refuse to return. rrhe eviction action was taken after legal, consultation which established tliat until a house was handed over and paid for, it Avas the propcrty of the builder Avho Avas responsible for any action whieh was taken against trespassers. A neighbour provided a large Ameri ean army tent Avhich Avas erected on the unmade footpath outside the houses. In this the families Avhich included seven children, spent the night. One Avoman, who is pregnant, collapsed and was taken to hospital but returned to the tent this afternoon. The-men deny that the squatting attempt was the work of C'ominuiusts.