NEED FOR MORE CEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26055, 7 March 1950, Page 6

NEED FOR MORE CEMENT

COMMENT BY MR GOOSMAN

EFFECT ON BUILDING CONTROLS

(New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, March 6.

Before building controls could be lifted New Zealand would have to have 30,000 tons more cement each year, said the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) speaking at the New Zealand Master Builders’ conference which opened to-day. “New Zealand is importing 100,000 tons of cement each year and something is wrong when we have to import as much as that,” he said. It was hoped that New Zealand could become self-sufficient in cement production because importations were making a big hole in overseas funds. Galvanised products and timber were also in short supply. “I am afraid I have inherited the job of holding the tiger by the tail—and I don’t know when to let go,” said Mr Goosman, amidst laughter, commenting further on building permits. So much work had banked up and there was so little material and labour to cope with it that the issue of permits for other than housing construction presented a difficult problem. “I can assure you that we will let the whole lot go whenever We can and restore the right of the people to build what they want and do what tney want to do,” he declared.

MORE RURAL HOMES

POLICY OF NEW GOVERNMENT (New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, March 6. A greater concentration of building in the rural areas as a measure to increase primary production was advocated by the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) addressing the jubilee conference of the New Zealand Master guilders’ Association this morning. “It means that some builders who have been working on State houses will be asked to turn some attention to private houses and building in rural areas,” he said. “The Government wants to co-operate in every way in making the change.” New Zealand’s overseas funds were very low, and the standard of living depended on exports, the Minister continued. “Primary production as far as housing is concerned has not bad a fair go,” the Minister said. “We are going to ask you to build houses in rural districts to check the drift from the country to the towns. We want homes round freezing works, dairy factories, and on farms for casual and permanent labourers. , “Temporary houses are also urgently needed, so that people in a desperate situation can get a roof over their heads. We must 'build more houses than ever before. We want more people owning homes and a smaller proportion owned by the State.”