SOLDIER HOUSING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 26 June 1944, Page 3

SOLDIER HOUSING

Promises Said To Have Proved Empty CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 21. Housing of returned servicemen was discussed at a conference in Auckland today called by the Second N.Z.E.F. Association. There were representatives from the building, hardware, and other allied trades, political organizations, the Carpenters' Union, and women’s organizations. After” hearing addresses in which the seriousness of the house shortage was discussed, the conference was adjourned to enable the association to collate all available information with a view to making concrete proposals at a further meeting. Air. K. Cohen, president of the Auckland branch of the association, welcoming delegates, said there were several hundreds of cases of returned servicemen requiring houses. Many were driven almost desperate by their inability to obtain suitable homes for themselves and their families. Mr. IV. E. Lancaster declared that something was “terribly wrong with New Zealand,” and promises made to the soldiers before they went overseas and while they were in the fighting services had proved to be empty. That applied not only to the Government promises but also to those made by large business concerns, various organizations, aud the public. It was apparent the Government could not handle the position. He asked what would happen in the first year of general dejnobilization. Last February the association set up a.committee to investigate housing needs, as a result of which 46 urgent cases were selected and the Housing Department in Wellington was asked to assist. This month a reply was received from the Prime .Minister's Department that four allocations had been made, and it was stated that an endeavour was being made to speed up housing construction and returned servicemen’s needs were being looked into. Mr. Lancaster said the association had 300 bad cases on its hooks and many others could be found. He declared there was ample material and labour in the Dominion.

Mr, 11. j. Hulse, representing the master builders, said there should not be more control of the building industry than today, but more specific control in the fields of material and labour was needed. Mr. E. J. Bassett, representing the hardware merchants, said the scheme of housing could not be put into operation till sufficient materials were forthcoming. A woman speaker said she was shocked at the housing conditions prevailing in Auckland. Another woman advocated the construction of community flats. This was supported by Mr. Hulse.