A GREAT WORK

Evening Post, Issue 126, 29 May 1936, Page 6

A GREAT WORK

BUILDING OF HOMES

INDEPENDENT'S VIEW

Mr. H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) complimented the Minister of Finance on the great work he was undertaking of building homes for the people. It had been said that the happiness of the nation depended upon family life, but he thought that the happiness of family life depended upon the possession of a home. If the criticism of the member for Wallace who had preceded him was the most deadly that could be aimed at the Bill he thought that the Government might well take it as an endorsement of the policy contained in the measure. It was right that the Minister should be in charge. That was a democratic principle. The Minister represented the people, and until, he showed that he would not study their interests he would support him. Mr. Atmore blamed the last Government for the shortage of houses. He pointed out that £25,000,000 a year had been taken from the wage earners by reductions in their earnings. That had reduced purchasing power. Private people were unable to build homes and many who had homes were unable to pay their instalments. THE POWER TO BORROW. In declaring that a defect in the Bill was the power to borrow, Mr. Atmore referred to statements made by the Prime Minister during the election campaign. Mr. Savage said he would utilise the public credit for public things. That could be done. It could be put into operation for the building of homes and the development of land. He welcomed the change of name of the Corporation. The title "Mortgage Corporation" that was displayed all over the country was tantamount to three brass balls. By changing the name the Government was recognising its right to work for the people. In recognising the generous tribute the Minister had paid to the late Sir Joseph Ward in respect to the passing of the Advances to Settlers Act, Mr. Atmore said that a large amount of money had been liberated in the interests of the man on the land and those men had been freed from the shackles of exorbitant interest. Liberals and Labour had worked together for that desirable end. The losses had been small in comparison to the great saving that had been brought about. Over £.20,000,000 had been prevented from going into the pockets of a small section of the community represented mostly by a few financial institutions. The State might still be in possession of doubtful securities to the extent of £7,000,000, but if the Prime Minister would utilise the people's credit there would be no doubtful securities because values would be restored. AN EXAMPLE. Mr. Atmore gave an illustration of a recent increase in rent of a fourroomed house occupied by a widow and her .daughter in Wellington. The rent had been increased from £1 7s 6d a week to £3. The Public Trustee was the agent and was instructed to tender the original rent. The agent of the owner refused and would give a receipt on account only. No move was made by the Public Trustee to pay the £3, and yesterday a summons for four weeks arrears of rent at £3 a week had been issued.' It was over 100 per cent, increase. Mr. Atmore said that the people must have homes if they were to retain their self-respect. New Zealand was not going to have a workhouse. During the last five years far too much had been done to kill men's self-re-spect. On a per capita basis New. Zealand was the wealthiest country in the world, and there was no need to borrow at home or abroad, and he hoped the Government would still consider that borrowing was u&necessary to house the people.