TO STIMULATE BUILDING

Evening Star, Issue 21116, 31 May 1932, Page 2

TO STIMULATE BUILDING

GOVERNMENT'S SUBSIDY ON LABOUR A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME-LOVERS From time to time it has been said in these columns that owners of homes and other buildings could do themselves and the community generally a groat service if they seriously considered the improvement and beautifying of their properties. Those who had plans to erect now buildings were also advised to proceed in view of the great reduction in building materials and actual construction costs. Now the Government has realised that a largo number of people are prepared to render service to their follow citizens in this way, and with the idea of exploiting this desire has formulated a scheme which should assist in no small measure in placing the building industry on the road to prosperity. It is proposed to subsidise from the Unemployment Fund the wages of idle tradesmen to the extend of 33 1-3 per cent., an offer which is certain to arouse an enthusiastic response throughout the country. Some master men have been critical of the scheme, particularly in regard to the conditions imposed, but there is no denying that the idea underlying the proposal is one worthy of the utmost support, and a determined effort should he made to overcome any difficulties that might be detrimental for its successful operation. Whatever the differences of opinion in regard to the conditions, the property owner or the prospective builder is not affected in the slightest degree, for ho receives the handsome subsidy on all work under Class 1 and on undertakings approved by the Minister of Unemployment. What an opportunity! Building costs at their lowest, and now a 33 1-3 per cent, subsidy on labour costs. Surely this is an irresistible inducement to those who can alleviate the curse of unemployment. It was revealed in a statement the other day that more than 500 members of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners were engaged on relief work in and around Dunedin, that number including many who are admittedly amongst the very best craftsmen in New Zealand. The commencement of new building construction or the alteration or improvement of existing premises would return some of these men to their vocations, while the benefit that would accrue to allied building trades im obvious. '

As evidence of tho- practical assistance which is afforded tradesmen by home renovations, one of our advertisers of home modernising equipment, who writes appreciatively of the appeal made two weeks ago to home lovers, advises that his sales for tho past two weeks are more than he has had for any four weeks since Christmas, and he has been able to take old and tried employees back from the dole. A doctor, he advises, has in tho past month had two new sink tops and a gas fire installed, some cupboards fitted, and some painting done. Terrazzo workers, a plumber, a carpenter, and a painter all had employment, and tho doctor, though of moderate means, found a very practical way of helping both genuine distress and his busy household. In stressing once more the need for action it should bo remembered that homo improvements to-day pay handsome dividends, they improve property values, save labour, and give muchneeded help to deserving men and firms.