STONEMASONS ANXIOUS

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1130, 18 May 1911, Page 2

STONEMASONS ANXIOUS

EMPLOYMENT RUNNING OUT. .AN APPEAL TO THE MINISTER. A matter thai dealt, in a wny, with the utilisation of stono in public buildings in Wellington, was brought before the notice ol tho Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. M'Kenzie) yesterday, by a deputation introduced by Mr. I). M'Laron, If.P. The deputation consifted of Messrs. A. Duncan, R. Lithgow, and J. T. Gray, representatives of tho Stonemasons' Union in Wellington. Mr. H'Larsn said tho object of the interview was to lay before tho Minister (he position in regard to the needs of the stonemasons in Wellington. It was urged that the Department shouM push on with public buildings in hand and those nrojected. If the. contemplated works, sucli as tho new Wellington railway station and the Parliamentary Buildings, were delayed, there was a possibility that there would be insufficient stonemasons in tho country when the time came for their employment. Trade was brisk in Australia, and likely to remain so, and when the present work at the Bost Office was completed the men could not afford to bans about doing nothing for weeks and months. Already a considerable number of tradesmen had gone over to tho other side, and Ihero was a tendency on the part 'of men connected with the building trade also to migrate there. Therefore, the deputation desired to impress upon the Minister that the pronosed works should' be viewed as works of urgency. Tho Minister (smiling): You want to seo the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. M'Laien said he was not concerned about tho Opposition. All he was concerned about in this matter was the future of the wives and children of tlie workers. As one cf the Wellington members, he proceeded, he considered there was a very urgent need for the «ew railway station ,here, and his support would go towards putting it in hand as soon as possible.

Don't Want to Emigrate. Mr. Gray said that when the new Tost Ollico was finished about fifty stonemasons would be thrown out 'of work, lhey had had to build homes for themselves, but .they would either have to emigrate to Australia, or else walk the streets for some time, as they had had to do before. They liked the country, ami they liked the Government, and they <"« not wont to have to'go away. Mr. Lithijow said there seemed to be n great endeavour to bring ferro-concrete into general use, and it was very inferior to stone for bridge-building and house?. This had been proved in .England. Water got into the concrete and rusted the iron. Mr. Duncan asked for an assurance from the Minister that the new Parliamentary Building would bo of stone. The Minister: I can't give an undertaking—at all events, not at present. Mr. Duncan said that stone was being imported fi-um Australia for local contracts, and it very seriously affected the masons litre. Certain duties were placed on goods to protect local industries and iie considered the same principle should extend to the importation of stone since hero in New Zealand equally as good, or better, material could be obtained. '

The Minister's Reply, The Minister, in replying, said ho was sorry to say ho could not give as much encouragement to the deputation as ho would desire. They were, of course, aware that competitive designs for the Parliamentary Building were being prepared,, and he did not know what the conditions, regarding the- use of stone, would be in the' accepted design. Ko doubt a certain amount of stone would be employed; but even so, he did not foresee any opportunity for the engagement of many stonemasons for twelve months at least, as the foundations of the building would first have to. bo put down; Of course, it was .possible that the accepted design' could .bValtfcred. Ho wouldendeavour to proceed with the erection of the building . as. rajiidly as possible, as soon as the design was accepted. The new railway station did not coine under his jurisdiction. A new building for tho Native , and Stamps Departments would soon be under erection in Sydney Street, to'cost'from .£l2,ooo'to £14,000, and this might help a little. Regarding the importation of stone, ho quite agreed with what had been said. Since good stono could bo obtained in New Zealand it was only fair its, use should he encouraged as much as possible, lie would mak"o inquiries as to what other buildings were soon likely to bo gone on with. As for ■ferro-concrote, its..use was.largely a matter: of economy, but apart from that it provided very good structures, 110 did not agree at all with what had been said in L this respect. A member of the deputation asked whether the new museum was to be proceeded with. Tho Minister: That is. in the Department of tho Minister for Internal Affairs.