THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

Evening Star, Issue 24331, 21 October 1942, Page 2

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

In- the House of Representatives yesterday the housing problem came into prmnp'once., when the Attorney-General more;! the second reading of the Fair Rents Amendment Bill. Its purpose. Mr Mason explained, was to see that people who behaved themselves properly as tenants were not ejected or subjected to extortionate rents. The Leader of the Opposition very' reasonably suggested that certain debatable clauses in the measure should be held over for consideration till the December session, so that the parties concerned might have tin opportunity of studying the details of the Bill. Lu the original Fair Rents Act certain type's of Hats and new houses were exempted in order to encourage building activity, but the Minister explained that to-day there was little prospect of new construction, and their inclusion iu the Bill was necessary. The housing problem is one most difficult of solution, and it has been accentuated in some degree by the Labour Government’s policy. Before its advent to power the building and letting of houses was considered a good investment. Now. under the restrictions and harassing conditions that prevail, the acquirement of house properties with the idea of letting them has fallen into disfavour. The Government’s idea was that it would undertake the duty of providing houses for the people, but its record in this respect is one of comparative failure. During the debate in the House yesterday Mr Doldge said that after seven years of Socialistic government the State had built only 10.425 houses up to the end of 1941, and he made a good point by suggesting that the situation could be relieved only by the Government encouraging private building by providing cheap money and arranging for lower costs. In the meantime the lack of man power and the scarcity of materials preclude new construction in any substantial degree, and the best use will have to be made of the homes that are j now available. In the amending Bill a clause following the Australian model has been inserted making it an offence,to refuse to let a house to people because they have children. This provision is justified so hum as adequate care is taken to see that the rights of property owners arc protected. The Minister stated that the whole idea in the Bill was to prevent rents from rising, and where there is a rise it must be justified. The fact that a decision in this matter will be in the hands of a magistrate will give confidence in the "administration of the measure, though the absence of any fixed principle in adjusting rents may create difficulties. Broadly, the wnole problem is wrapped up iu the question of supply and demand, ana until conditions give n new impulse to house construction the present uUsatisfactoi.t state of affairs will continue.