HOUSING IN WARTIME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1943, Page 2

HOUSING IN WARTIME

CAMPS OR HOMES?

It is remarkable how critics of the t Labour Government’s housing policy never, by any chance, mention the advent of war or its effect on the housing scheme. Here are the facts for the unbiased to judge for themselves:— 1. The Labour Government has built 16,000 State houses and is still building them at a rate determined by available manpower and materials. 2. Under Labour nearly 8000 State Advances loans have been made to private builders. In 1934, just 11 such loans were made. 3. The Labour Government in its first five years speeded up building to nearly three times as many homes per year as under National. 4. Since the war began, the Labour Government has built camp accommodation sufficient to house 170,000 men—or the whole population of Wellington! It was a case of camps or homes —we certainly couldn’t have both! Said Hallett Abend, famous war correspondent: “State houses are attractive . . . New Zealand has probably, on the other hand, a larger percentage of privately-owned homes than any other country in the world.” There is no stronger advocate for homes for the people than Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, who has announced Labour’s plan to build 16,000 homes per annum after the war. What Peter Fraser promises he performs. Said Larry Le Souer, famous American broadcaster: “Nothing could be quieter or more real than this man.” Nothing is more certain than that Labour, pledged to the job. will do it. Vote Labour again.—Advt.