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The following table, supplied by the Employment Department, shows the number of workmen employed in connection with the State Housing projects since March, 1939 : Table No. 122. —Table showing Number of Workmen employed either directly by, or under Contract to, the Housing Construction Department, from March, 1939, to March, 1946 March, 1939.. .. 5,340 March, 1943 .. .. 1,089 September, 1939 .. 4,385 September, 1943 .. 2,180 March, 1940.. .. 5,085 March, 1944 .. .. 3,192 September, 1940 .. 4,420 September, 1944 .. 4,009 March, 1941.. .. 3,879 March, 1945 .. .. 3,645 September, 1941 .. 3,478 September, 1945 .. 4,026 March, 1942.. .. 1,842 March, 1946 .. .. 4,742 September, 1942 .. 873 The table shows in marked fashion the falling-off of housing construction during the war, culminating in 1942, when defence construction works were at their height. The increase in numbers since that date is indicative of the increasing importance attached to housing. At the present moment (July, 1946) the number engaged in housing activities is approximately equal to that of March, 1940. As to future demand for houses —assuming no immigration—this will depend largely on the number of marriages. This in turn is related to the birth-rate from twenty to thirty years previously. In other words, most people marrying in 1945 were born between 1916 and 1926. The following table is of interest in this regard : Table No. 123. —Table showing Number of Live Births from 1920 to 1935 (excluding Maoris) Year of Birth. Number. Year of Birth. Number. 1920 .. .. 29,921 1928 .. .. 27,200 1921 .. .. 28,567 1929 .. .. 26,747 1922 .. .. 29,006 1930 .. 26,797 1923 .. .. 27,967 1931 .. .. 26,622 1924 .. .. 28,014 1932 .. .. 24,884 1925 .. .. 28,153 1933 .. 24,334 1926 .. .. 28,473 1934 .. .. 24,322 1927 .. .. 27,881 1935 .. .. 23,965 It will be observed that in the ten years from 1925 to 1935 there is a gradual falling off in the number of births, indicating that in the next ten years a falling off in the number of marriages can be expected. While this falling off will give some relief to the potential housing demands, it will not give any relief to existing housing shortages. Other things being equal, " It will be seen that any large-scale immigration policy, if implemented during the next two or three years, is likely to further embarrass the housing situation in this country. We must expect to provide, say, one house for every ■3*7 immigrants, unless they are children who might be housed elsewhere." The Director continues : "At the point where the marriage-rate suddenly declines will approximately be the opportune time for bringing in further immigrants." One further point in the evidence of the Director of Housing Construction is worthy of mention. He recommended that steps be taken to encourage the subdivision of large houses no longer fully occupied. Many such houses could be converted into two or more flats. We are not concerned to comment in detail on the financial aspects of the proposition, but, since we believe that adequate housing is a fundamental prerequisite of any policy to encourage a population increase, we think that every step possible should be taken to explore all available avenues for meeting the present shortage.

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