Building Target For Restraint

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 12

Building Target For Restraint

The Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) had agreed that when economic restraint was necessary the building industry was the prime target, said the chairman of the Canterbury Building Industry Committee (Mr A. Young).

Mr Muldoon had assured a deputation from the Christchurch building industry that the Government's work’s committee had not deferred any work in Canterbury this year. The deputation endeavoured to impress upon the Minister that Canterbury was a special case, said Mr Young. “The Minister agreed that Canterbury had been particularly hard hit as a result of the Government’s economic restrictions,” said Mr Young. “He stated that if the building industry could make available to the Government at regular intervals, accurate statistics as presented in oui submissions, this could help to stabilise the industry and assist the Government in bringing down a planned works programme. “The Minister indicated

that a close watch would be kept on the situation in Canterbury and all possible assistance given to keep the industry moving,” he said. The deputation comprised Messrs B. S. Rose (Institute of Quantity Surveyors), E. W. T Marriott (Canterbury Master Builders* and Joiners’ Association), R. J. Pitcairn (Carpenters and Related Trades Union) and Mr Young (subcontractors).