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STEPS TO DEAL WITH HOUSE SHORTAGE

Responsibility On Private Enterprise Seen POINTS FOR PROPOSED CONFERENCE "There is common agreement throughout New Zealand that one of the imperative duties the country owes to its fighting men is to be able to welcome them back with adequate housing facilities for themselves, their wives and children,” says the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand in a letter that has been sent to various national organizations inviting them b> appoint representatives to a conference being convened by the Associated Chambers to consider the housing situation. “The housing shortage,” says the association in its letter, “is nothing new to the Dominion, but two developments which have made the position even more acute are: (1) The effect of wartime exigencies, and (2) the very great problem of adequately housing New Zealand s returning servicemen. We are all aware of the activities of the State Housing. Department, but figures show that State housing alone cannot hope to make up the housing arrears of the Dominion, leave alone meet the needs of servicemen. It therefore devolves aS a major responsibility on private enterprise to see that the alarming lack of houses is remedied quickly and effectively. “We are fully aware that the subject has its complications. At the same time, it is the case that the different sections of the building industry are endeavouring to do their best each in their own way, without any organized effort bringing them together on a united and cohesive scheme. The Associated Chambers of Commerce has already made inquiries as to the reception likely to be accorded a proposal by it for the calling of a con ference of representatives of all organizations concerned q.n the building industry, to have a frank discussion of the present position and the future outlook, to collate their views and experience, and to evolve a report which it is hoped will, (a) analyse and study existing impediments to a vigorous house-building programme, and (b) set out the means by which such a programme might be undertaken as a matter of urgency. Reaction to our proposal has been most favourable; in consequence of which we hereby formally invite your organization and other allied associations to appoint representatives to attend a conference to be called, under the convenorship of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, at an early date in Wellington. “We do not suggest that the following tentative agenda is by any means exhaustive, but we do think that the points herein could well be used as a basis by the conference for discussion and the production of information, ideas and proposals:— “Collation of local housing surveys to determine the total national need for housing. “Analysis of the costs in housing construction, e.g.. wages, materials,'sales tax, etc. Methods by which cost obstacles may be reduced. ‘'Availability of materials, e.g., timber (old and new), tiles, plumbing and fittings. Question of economic utilization of timber, iron, and materials in defence and P.W.D. camps, etc. “Availability of labour. Use of skilled and unskilled labour, skilled labour in Forces, apprenticeship 01* training of returned men, labour content in prefabrication. x “Possibilities of short-life houses allied with long-term planning, possibilities and limits of prefabrication. “State controls and prohibitions, rent restrictions and pro-tenant legislation, local body by-laws, examination of impediments in existing requirements or administration., “Place of speculative builder in building schemes. ' ''State housing activities, examination of effectiveness, tenancy as against ownership. ... ,

“It is fully realized that an effective solution to the present housing problem, particularly under war conditions, may not readily be found, but the problem of adequate housing, particularly with regard to the rehabilitation aspect, is so important and urgent as to call for. the expert examination which organizations concerned in the building industry are able to give, and we feel sure a combined report as 'an outcome of the proposed conference would be viewed by the people of New Zealand as a public service.” The organizations to which the invitation is being sent are as follow:—New Zealand Builders’ Federation,' New Zealand Institute of Architects, Municipal Association, Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association, New Zealand Hardware Merchants’ Federation, New Zealand Timber Merchants’ Federation, New Zealand Building Societies’ Association.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19440621.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 226, 21 June 1944, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
695

STEPS TO DEAL WITH HOUSE SHORTAGE Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 226, 21 June 1944, Page 4

STEPS TO DEAL WITH HOUSE SHORTAGE Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 226, 21 June 1944, Page 4

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