Middle-size builder hit

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 14

Middle-size builder hit

PA Tauranga [ The building industry in New Zealand had lost control of its own destiny, said the [president of the Master [Builders’ Federation (Mr L. ’Street) to Waikato-Bav of [Plenty master builders at ! Mount Maunganui. ' “The industry needs a clear lead from the Government on building planning,” Mr Street said. “In the present uncertainty builders risk losing their skills through lack of work. Should any upturn in the industry come they will be unprepared for it,” he said.

The medium-sized business was worst affected — the builder who did not have the resources to ride out the lows but could not afford to drop out and try something else. “The major building firms have enough experience and experts at their disposal to plan for the future and face the present downturn,” Mr Street said. Also not so badly off were the small firms because they could drop out and forfeit their investment because it was small in the first place, he said. “It is the man in the mid-

die that needs the greatest amount of encouragement, advice and help.” Mr Street said. "The federation is doing this through a programme lof bulletins, lectures and training schemes.” Mr Street assessed the demand level of the building industry as ebing similar to that of 1969-70, during the last economic squeeze. I “In the light of circumstances, and the Government's policies, I cannot see an improvement in building for at least two or three years,” he said.