STATE HOUSING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 192, 12 May 1944, Page 4

STATE HOUSING

Letting Of Dwellings And Flats ALLOCATION TO RETURNED SERVICEMEN “Since the Japanese entered the war considerably more than 400 State rental houses and flats have been let or re-let. throughout the Dominion,” said the Act-ing-Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, last night. “Between April 1, 1942, and March 31. 1944, the actual number of State rental houses and flats let or relet was 4181. As during this period the Dominion was confronted by the most serious economic difficulties this achievement must be regarded as gratifying.’’ Mr. Sullivan said that of the 4181 State houses and flats referred to, 1429 had been allocated , Jo ex-servicemen. Within the three-months period between January 1 and March 31 t>f this year the total number of allocations was 428, 222 of which were made to ex-servicemen, 108 of these being in Auckland and Wellington. With the recent return of large numbers of men from overseas the applications from exservicemen had rapidly increased and these pending as at March 31 last totalled 2678. Of these roughly 80 per cent, had been lodged within the past six months. “The situation regarding manpower and materials,” said Mr. Sullivan, “still presents very great problems, but the Government housing programme is being pushed forward with every expedition within the limits of these disabilities.” ======