DEMAND FOR HOUSES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 368, 24 February 1937, Page 6

DEMAND FOR HOUSES

MANY APPLICANTS.

STATE SCHEME.

Amendments To Law Now Proposed.

Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, Last Night

There has been a remarkable demand for the leasing of State houses under the Government’s scheme. Mr J. A. Lee said to-day that applications totalled several thousands. A full tally had not yet been made but it was clear that with the close approach of the actual construction of houses at Wellington and Auckland the Government’s scheme would prove exceptionally popular. It was mentioned by Mr Lee that feature of the demand for Slate houses at a resonable rent was tHe number of applications from provim cial centres.

Mr Lee will leave Wellington on Thursday for Napier aqd adjacent towns and settlements in the Hawkes Bay district. He Vill spend three or four days' in that territory inspecting several areas of land under offer to the government for purchase and subdivision as State housing sites. Shortly after his visit to Hawkes Bay Mr Lee will spend a day or two at Palmerston North in order to inspect sites there.

In view of the widespread demand for State houses it is probable that the Governiment, as soon as possible, will amend the law which restricts the leasing of such residences to applicants earning not more than £6 a v’eek. It is recognised that many married people with families are finding acute difficulty, particularly ST Wellington in obtaining adequate residential accommodation at a rent within their financial resources even though they may exceed £6 a week.