MATERIALS FOR BUILDING

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25566, 6 August 1948, Page 9

MATERIALS FOR BUILDING

SHORTAGE OF MANY ITEMS CONTROLLER’S LETTER , materials were scarcer nf AiA ha at an . y stage since the end ?Joif he ,S ar G said the Building Contn Ithr 1 th r ( F r R - L - MacPhail) in I letter men? £ ssoc >6ted Chambers of ComrSin/T.? 1 which was read dt tert™?fn! £ ‘J?® counc il of the Canevenine C ?J^ mbe r 9 f Commerce last uX?’ principal exception was „?? ber ’ . a n, d during the last year supplies had improved substantially, there was evidence that within the “™, H y S ar the . sh ° rta ge Of timber wou!d be practically eliminated. The gap between supply and demand of other materials had never been wider, and tor that reason building control would continue.

.. 11 had been said, the letter continued, that builders and contractors had some stocks of materials to permit. renovations and other work on business premises. It was appreciated that builders generally acquired a small surplus of various kinds of materials, but it was doubtful whether any one builder had enough materials to carry out other than the most minor work.

A recent survey in New Zealand had shown that stocks .of lead and oil available were not in excess of the actual demand.

Referring to a resolution carried by tne Canterbury Chamber recently, that as there was evidence at its disposal about an improvement in the supply of materials an instruction should be issued for the decentralisation of the granting of building permits, Mr MacPhaii said he was amazed at such a statement, as it would surely be conceded he was in an official position and would have an up-to-date knowledge of the supply, position. Permits as they affected houses would be granted by district controllers. As there was to be a Royal visit next year many business people would wish to improve their shop fronts, said Mr H. C. Hurst. He did not think the position was as bad as it was made out to be.

“Any Government controller in seclusion and unapproachable in Wellington has not the- knowledge of businessmen on the spot.” said Mr A. M. Hollander. “They make their statements as if they have the final word. This matter should be referred to the trades people concerned for them to make a telling reply to the controller s dogmatic assertions.” A motion by Mr Hollander that the matter be referred to the building and allied trades for investigation was carried.