BILL AMENDED

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 103, 29 October 1945, Page 5

BILL AMENDED

HOUSING IMPROVEMENT

Native housing has now been included within the provision of the Housing Improvement Bill. In the measure as originally introduced such housing was excluded* unless occupied by a person who was not a Native. lne alteration has been made as a result of consideration of the Bill by the Local Bills Committee which reported the measure back to the House of Representatives on Friday with amendmThe" authority given to the Minister of Works to order work to be done to improve housing conditions when a local authority fails to take the necessary steps is not to be exercised in relation to any house on Native land without the consent of the local authority. One of the provisions dealing with the vacation of houses where demolition or improvements are necessary has been amended.. It will now be no offence if occupancy of a house is continued unless suitable alternative accommodation has been offered, instead of as previously accommodation which an inspector of factories regarded as suitable. Another amendment relates to the powers of local authorities in the reclamation of overcrowded areas. As now drawn, the Bill provides that the local authority may re-subdivide and improve the reclamation area or any land adjacent acquired by the local authority under the Bill. A proviso has been added that before the local authority carries out any re-subdivision or improvement it is required to obtain the approval of the Town' Planning Board to its proposals as to the future use of the land.

To assist local authorities to carry out any scheme for the subdivision and improvement of Kny reclamation area, provision is made for the Government to contribute to the cost.

Other amendments deal with machinery matters and are designed for the smoother operation 0.. the measure.