STATE ADVANCES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1930, Page 3

STATE ADVANCES

STATEMENT BY SIR J. G. WARD

By Telegraph— Per Press-Association ! WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. , A denial of a published suggestion I'.i.it* Slate Advances'' loans are to be curtailed was issued by the (Primp Minister (lit. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) to-night. , i

kir Joseph Ward' authorised the following statement for- publication: “The declaration in a Press Association message from Auckland, that, owing to. the number of empty houses in Auckland, no further Government loans lor the building of homes will be made until the situation improves, is not a. correct statement of the position. It is well-known that there are a very large number of empty houses in Auckland and its suburbs, and the Advances Department has, in addition. had a number of its securities abandoned, chiefly through difficulties of transport and unemployment. These; securities the Department, is endeavouring to dispbse of, and, to that end, it has been considered expedient to bring these houses, which comprise lec-eiitly-'erected .dwellings, before the notice of intending applicants who,are anxious of erecting new homes. Should, however, it not be possible for the Department' to (sat isfy the requirements of an applicant by the sale of one of tlje Dennrtnieiit’s available securities, his application would he dealt with on its merits when the^housing position genorn.lly would be taken into consideration in conjunction with the circumstances relative to the- applicant, and the proffered security. In any case, where the circumstances justify the Advances Department in entertaining an application, the matter would b& dealt with in the usual manner, and, as soon as it is possible to db so.” ...

“Die statement made in the press (hat such loans are to cease is ridiculous.”.

I he Press Association message above petered, to was sent out .from, Auckland. It-stated: “Owing to the nunir her of empty houses in Auckland, no further Government loans for the building of homes will he made until, tile situation improves. This announeement is contained in a communication from the Department. The opinion expressed locally is that the A public should have leen given a warning. A similar decision is reported to haye been made in respect to Christchurch, where, some days ago, in reply to .An application for a loan, the State Advances, Department., advised that no more, loans would he made in. Christt church until the position in. repaid to the empty dwelling houses had improved. ... ; - • , ’ ... '• "