Houses And Politics

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 202, 24 May 1944, Page 6

Houses And Politics

Sir, —As a citizen of Wellington may I- be permitted to enter a most emphatic protest at. the introduction of slum clearance and housing as an issue in this municipal election. Housing and slum clearance is undoubtedly a real necessity and a national matter, but is it loyalty or clear vision to endeavour to divide our people on such an issue while in the midst of war? Perhaps tlffi Allied armies are on the eve of invasion of Europe; if so the Government war effort will be further strained by demands from overseas, and it is only by a united New Zealand that we can assist in achieving the victory we are so dearlywaiting for. Why load the Government and the present Alinistcr of AA T orks with additional worries and demands while that office at the moment is doing so much for our own war effort, and is evidently doing its best to house the people? All citizens know that the housing shor tage is desperate, but homes or palaces would bo of little value if the yellow hordes of Tojo came to our shores. Let us as a people shelve our inconveniences meanjime, distressing as they are, and then with victory achieved let us demand that the Government and industry divert their war effort, energy and production to the housing of our people and slum clearance; then the shortage will be overcome in short time.

The Labour Party representatives in Wellington have shown a very inconsiderate and short-sighted policy in this municipal campaign, for to try (for rhe sake of- political control) to divert any Government from the problems of manpower and .war effort is, to say the least, not in the interests and welfare of our city.— -I am, etc., J. WALSH. Lyall Bay, May 23.