STATE HOUSES TOTAL OVER 26,000

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 3

STATE HOUSES TOTAL OVER 26,000

WELLINGTON, April 9. Altogether 3210 State built house units were completed in the twelve months ended March 31, the third highest figure achieved by the State Housing Construction Department since its inception, and highest since 1941. “This figure,” stated the Minister of Works, Hon. R. Semple, “has not been achieved without considerable effort on the part of the Department and when all the difficulties in regard to shortage of materials nave been taken into account, the result should prove to those critical of the Government’s activities in the housing field that the Government’s determination to see that all citizens of New Zealand are adequately housed, is being prosecuted to the fullest extent possible,” said Mr Semple. GOVERNMENT’S AIM Over the past 10 years the State had built approximately one-third the total houses built in the whole of the country during that period, and it was Ihe Government’s firm intention to continue the erection of State houses until all the people are adequately housed. The health of the people was closely allied to housing and where adequate and decent living conditions existed, it was reasonable to expect a healthy and contented community. “Although it has been necessary to use substitute materials for those in short supply, I would emphasise that the high standard of State house construction has been maintained,” .said the Minister. “For the financial year ,]ust commenced it is hoped to achieve an alltime record of State house construction and thereby alleviate still further the housing shortage of this country.” , In addition to these figures, 156 permanent units have also been provided for the other Government departments, as well as 241 transit units and hostel and other single accommodation units for approximatley 1000 workers.