POSTWAR PLANNING

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 213, 4 June 1943, Page 4

POSTWAR PLANNING

Survey By Commissioner Of Works ADVISORY BODY PROPOSED Many of the institutions and methods of the past would have to be scrapped, said Mr. J. Fletcher, Commissioner of Works, at a luncheon for men members of the English-Speaking Union yesterday. New Zealanders spent a lot of time, energy and money in governing themselves, he said. They had committees, boards and councils by the thousand. There was a saying that in a multiplicity of counsels there was wisdom; but there could the confusion as well. Was this number of control authorities, each working in an isolated circle, the most beneficial method of conducting affairs? They had boroughs and' boards fi ch ting eacn other in parish pump politics. While industrial units were being packed into the cities there were already signs that smaller towns, formerly regarded as being “sound,” were slipping back. The population over a period of years had been stationary, largely due to lack of co-operation by business interests, and to remnin stationary was too often a prelude to stagnation, said Mr. Fletcher. What sound reason could be advanced against the locating of large industrial units in these centres? Land values and rates were low, sites were available at the railside, all services could 'be provided and housing was not the desperate problem it was in the cities. It was not a question of setting up committees or big unwieldy boards to tackle this problem. It could best be handled by a small group of men whose responsibility it would be to ad'vise. the Government that certain defined lines must be followed. These lines would not be laid down without the fullest investigation and the consideration of the viewpoints of all interested parties; but the national interest must be paramount, and the deciding factor in every case. It must be appreciated, too, that in the consideration of these national plans there could be no place for party politics. Study of Rehabilitation.

"You will realize from Press statements that rehabilitation is being closely studied by the Government,” added Mr. Fletcher. “Perhaps you do not realize the scope of this work and the detailed investigation involved. For instance, the Government is already aware of the post-war construction projects of all local bodies, and these are being examined from several aspects. The Minister of Works will 'be announcing at an early date his completed programme for the year. This will cover every phase of building—defence, hospitals, schools, housing, hydro-electric proposals and essential Government buildings. These will be co-ordinated, with labour and material resources dovetailed in accordance with established priorities. Before this programme was decided upon the material situation was examined. This disclosed that many of the essential materials could not be procured from overseas. It was thus necessary to pw cure substitutes or make arrangements for manufacture in New Zealand. This position was carefully examined, and in some instances arrangements were made for local manufacturers to enlarge their plants. The labour position has also received 1 attention, and it is obvious that there will be no let-up in the industry for years. Wages and hours of work have been fixed. The men will have continuity and security, but will be expected to give, as they have already done, loyal and honest service. “Plans have so far developed that within a matter of a few months almost all trades in connexion with the building industry will be organized on such a basis that they can be expanded in every centre of 'New Zealand as servicemen return and require to be trained,”