Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1954-1955 — Page 15

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centres of employment. The "approved" areas were more con- veniently placed. In the worst squatter fire of the year, which took place in November, 1951, about 15,000 persons were render- ed homeless.

5.

The population is thought to have risen again to about 21 millions during 1952. The policy described in the previous paragraph was applied and developed, provision being made for squatter shops, factories and workshops to be replaced by re- settlement shops, factories etc. Schools were started and the voluntary agencies played a valuable part in the development of resettlement areas. 15,000 persons lost their homes in squatter fires during the year.

6. During 1953 the population is believed to have remained stable at about 24 millions. The resettlement policy described above continued to be applied and the population of resettlement areas continued to grow. Very substantial expenditure was by now involved, and the funds voted for the development and administration of resettlement areas during the financial year 1953-1954 amounted to nearly $5 million. But fires continued to occur (6,000-7,000 persons were made homeless during January and February, 1953) and in the course of the year it became apparent that, whilst steady progress was being made, the process of resettlement must somehow be accelerated if the problem was ever to be solved.

7. The main obstacle to rapid large-scale clearance and re- settlement operations by the methods so far described was this:-if a squatter was eligible for a cottage-site in an "approved" resettlement area its construction would cost him well over $1,000. Even the building of the simpler type of structure permitted in the "tolerated" areas would cost several hundred dollars, and moreover, since these areas were somewhat remote, these settlers would usually be faced with additional travelling expenses to and from their work after resettlement. It will be recalled that the period during which it was sought to apply these measures coincided with a substantial decrease in economic activity and general prosperity, this being due

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