HOUSING SCHEME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32307, 1 September 1943, Page 3

HOUSING SCHEME

training of tradesmen NATIONAL PARTY PLANS POLICY FOCUSSED ON THE HOME Plans for a gigantic housing scheme, not only to catch up on the material requirements, but also as a major method of ensuring employment for all, were outlined last night by the Leader of the National Party (Mr S. G. Holland). He advocated the freehold for all desiring it, and the finding of 90 per cent, of the necessary finance for ordinary citizens, and 100 per cent., if necessary, for soldiers. Every tenant of a State rental house would be given the option of acquiring the freehold of his house at a weekly rental, including interest, principal, maintenance and rates, not exceeding the present rental, but those preferring- to remain as State tenants would be free to do so. A National Asset Homes, he said, were a national asset. There was no better investment or contribution to human happiness. All the resources were available, because 95 per cent, of the materials used in home-building were in New Zealand and the manpower and finance was all local. The problem was trained manpower, but New Zealanders had proved themselves wonderfully adaptable in training for the arts of war, and they could also be trained in the arts of peace. A busy building industry meant that all other trades were busy; and as more men were employed, more purchasing power was available, thus giving employment to others.

Housing costs were too high; they could 1 be reduced without cutting wagesi Experts had presented reports showing that houses could be built by private enterprise for £lOO less, and as the sales tax on building materials was to be abolished under the party’s policy, a reduction of £2OO on the cost of each house would result. Everything To family Life Directing everything to family life, the National Party would begin by building homes. The quality of the race depended on the quality of the homes in which it was nurtured. Anyone who studied the vital statistics must be alarmed at the drift in the birth-rate. The causes were partly financial, partly in housing difficulty, and, partly in the problems of getting help for mothers in the home. The party’s policy, already presented to the electors, would remove those causes.