STATE HOUSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 14

STATE HOUSING

importing tradesmen TRAINING LOCAL WORKERS IMMEDIATE ACTION PLANNED LABOUR CAUCUS DISCUSSIONS [HVTKI. KG it A PH —I'll KSS ASSOCI ATI ON ] WELLINGTON, Friday Steps that are to lie taken by the Government to accelerate housing construction iu the Dominion were outlined by the Prime Minister, -Mr. Savage, in an interview at the conclusion of to-day's caucus of tho Parliamentary Labour X'arty. I - le said that immediate efforts were to he made to obtain skilled tradesmen 'from abroad and to l/aiu a greater number of New Zealandet's for the building trade. The caucus is to resume to-morrow morning, when consideration is to bo given to questions of defence. Tho housing problem, said Mr. Savage, had been discussed very fully by members of the caucus. The Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, had given an address in which he gave extensive details of the Stato housing scheme and referred to tho difficulty of obtaining the services of a sufficient number of experienced tradesmen. Everyone was of the opinion that immediate steps should he taken to bring skilled men from abroad, and to train more New Zealanders for tho building trade as well. It was felt that unless some such action was taken it would be impossible to overtake the arrears of years in the construction of houses. Efforts would be made in tho United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to obtain the additional tradesmen required from overseas. Australia and Canada were probably the most suitable countries, because tradesmen there were more accustomed to colonial building requirements. Mr. Savage said the activities of tho Labour Department were also the subject of a report by the' Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. This department would be concerned in the training of additional tradesmen in this 'country, and proposals had been submitted by Mr. Webb for having men from the I.'JB scheme trained in building and other crafts and restored back to industry.

Further consideration, said Mr. Savage, had also been given to _ the question of industrial expansion within the Dominion. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, reported 011 the progress made up to the present. Every member of the party would be taking part in the campaign in support of New Zealand industries.

"Wo have had a very interesting two days, discussing and considering things that matter at the moment," said Mr. Savage.