NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22795, 22 August 1939, Page 10

NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Slackening of Present Programme DIVERSION OF MEN TO HOUSING Agreement by Cabinet Committee A slackening of the programme of new public buildings in the Dominion is being considered by the Government. The list of the buildings to be placed on the “waiting” list so that tradesmen can be diverted to housing construction is being compiled by a Cabinet co-or-dinating committee the Minister for Housing (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) informed “The Press” last evening. Mr Armstrong is a member of the committee, which includes the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), and the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). • “We have been considering for some time what works should be pushed on, and we are all of the opinion that housing is the most important,” said Mr Armstrong. “It is not necessary to bring in more artisans to catch up the leeway in housing. Big commercial and Government buildings are being erected, and we could ease off on them, and release the men for housing. That is being considered.”

His aim was to. build 5000 houses a year. If New Zealand did not reach that- objective, the leeway of the housing shortage would not be caught. At least 2000 more skilled workers were needed for the home building trade, and it was not necessary to bring them from other countries.

Of .the men engaged overseas, 380 had arrived from Australia, and no arrangements were being made to import more workers from there. The total number of men engaged in England for housing work was 250 and between 50 and 60 were yet to arrive. Many of the Englishmen, Mr Armstrong said, were specialists in different lines. They were not all-round men, but they were experts in their own classes of work.

“I have heard of no dissatisfaction at all,” replied Mr Armstrong when he was asked if the imported workmen were satisfied with the wages and living conditions. ‘‘The report of 'a batch of men returning to Australia was all nonsense. Only four of the 380 engaged have left New Zealand and two failed to repay their, fares. No claims ■ were ir-'de oh one'man who was broken down in health and on another who was- compelled to return to_ Australia ' because of- ' sickness in his family. Because two broke their contract, you must not condemn all the Australians. If any scheme can be made to work with 99 i per cent, satisfaction,-it is a success, all will admit.” .

Because of the opportunities offered, artisans were 'coming by every boat frorii Australia and Engr land to seek work,? said Mr Armstrong. In fact, more skilled tradesmen! had come to New Zealand on their own'initiative than had been engaged--overseas to work for the Gbvetmment. • Contracts in City Completed contracts and contracts now let in-Christchurch were for approximately 800 houses, said the Minister. One thousand applications for houses were now on the files in Christchurch, where, although great, the demand was nothing like that in Wellington, where *7OOO applications had been received., In Auckland, the hottemg shortage was as bad as Wellington’s, if not worse. 'Contracts for houses to occupy the whole of the- block had been let, said Mr Armstrong. Contracts for the department’s land near New Brighton had also been issued. If New Brighton was connected with the city’s'sewers, the possibility was that one of the biggest housing schemes in the Dominion would be undertaken there.