HOUSE SHORTAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 4

HOUSE SHORTAGE

DEPUTATION TO PARLIAMENT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July V. A deputation from the Rent Payers’ Association consisting of about 2000 people marched on Parliament tonight for the purpose of* interviewing Mr Massey on the subject of the lions ing shortage. The deputation asked that the hutments, at Trentham teamp he made available to the people, and that fast trains bo put on to enable city workers to utilise them.

They also asked that the export of timber be stopped until the shortage of houses is caught up. Meanwhile the rent restriction provisions in the present law should be continued. Mr Massey, in reply, said that all ■ they asked for in the matter of rent ! restriction was contained in the oxI piring Laws Continuance Bill, notice |of which he had given. This provid- ; cd for an extension of the existing iaw i for another year, from 31st. August ' next. At present, lie said, the Government had 155 houses in course of erection in various parts of the Dominion, j Thirteen had been completed. It was , expected another 124 would be finished in six months’ time. In addition to j this 700 houses hail been authorised Ivy Cabinet recently. It. was expected that the Government would he pend- ! ing £600,000 on this work in the course ;of the year. It was impossible, how- ' ever, for the Government to build all ( the houses required, but if they succeeded, as they hoped they would, by and private enterprise, in • erecting 5000 houses in the next twelve j months, it would not he long before the pressure would be relieved. He had hoped that the local bodies would . have done more, but they did not like | the financial responsibility. The Government did not want to drive the builder out of business. He would prej for to encourage builders to put up i good houses and become good land- , lords. The legislation proposed as to j rent restriction would not apply to new | houses, so that it could not he said to interfere with the builders’ * opera - j lions.

Mr Massey expressed sympathy with the people who are unable to find a home.

In reply to inquiries Mr P. Fraser, M.P., regarding more drastic provisions in the law to prevent evictions, the Premier said the Government would

welcome any suggestions from the Labour Party, which would tend to strengthen the law.