Farmers Want Government To Honour Promise

Chronicle (Levin), 23 June 1949, Page 5

Farmers Want Government To Honour Promise

WELLINGTON, June 22. Despite repeated requests from Federated Earmers, the ■ Government had not yet stated whether it was "prepared to give eflfect to its promise of November, 1947, to build State houses in the couritry, said ihe acting-chairman of the meat an.d woo'l -section of Federated Farmers, Mr. S. D, Reeves, at the section 's annual conference today. Because building in the country carried penal rates- which did not apply in the towns, there was not much encouragement for farmers to .proeeed with housing aaid the provision of othe'r buildings, .said Mr, Reeves. The farmer also had to eompete with hi'ghlv protected undertakings in the eity for labour and materials. As a result of pressure from Federated Farmers by deputations and newspaper publieity, the Government had stated in 1947 it .was prepared -to extend the Housing Division's .activities

to the er.ection of State rental houses • n country towns hnd villages, provided' the federation informed it where the houses wdre required, he said. A survey was conducted throughout the organisatio.n, the results being forwarded to the Government in September, 1948. The Government had not yet stated whether it was prepared to put into nction its promise. The following officers were elected: — Chairman, Mr, S. D. Reeves; senior vice-chairma'n, Mr. W. Malcolm; junior vice-chairman, Mr. James Andrew.