BUSINESS IMPROVES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 8

BUSINESS IMPROVES

Result of Building Subsidy PUBLICITY’S GOOD EFFECT There is abundant evidence that good results are being achieved as a result of the publicity given to low building costs and the Unemployment Board’s subsidy on labour. This statement was made yesterday, by Mr, A. Seed, president of the Allied Building Industries organisation. He added that good reports also had. been received from other centres, "Firms catering for the building trade have reported distinctly stimulated activity,’’ .said Mr. Seed. “During the past six weeks or more there has been an improved demand for material, and in many cases it is stated that stocks will soon have to be renewed. This will react beneficially on sawmills and cement works, in transport, and in the numberless other channels catering for the trade.” Number of Subsidies Granted. To August 27, which date completed the eighth week of the operation of the scheme, the total number of building works approved for subsidy by the Unemployment Board had been 856, said Mr. Seed.' The total number of buildings and other work involved amounted to £388,000, and the number of men to be found employment before these works were completed was computed to be 2410. It Is estimated by the officers of the Unemployment Board that 78 per cent, of the total value of work authorised will represent. wages expenditure in some form or other within the Dominion. Wages: More Thau £300,000. "It is probable, of course, that a certain proportion of this now authorised work would have been proceeded with sooner or later, even if the building subsidy had not been available," said Mr. Seed. “On the other hand, there is no doubt whatever that the subsidy, and appreciation of the fact that building costs are now at bedrock, have been together responsible for bringing forward the major part of the work. The highest approbation should be accorded to any . movement which has been responsible for promoting work that will involve a wide distribution of something more than £300,000 of wages expenditure within the Dominion.”