SUBSIDY SCHEME

Evening Star, Issue 21786, 31 July 1934, Page 2

SUBSIDY SCHEME

APPROVAL IN THE TRADE TWENTY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED Though the Unemployment Board's I new house building subsidy scheme No. I 12 has been in operation for only a | week, over twenty applications have I been received by the Labour Depart- j meat's local Unemployment Bureau. I So far as the conditions of ' the I scheme are concerned they meet with I the general approval of the trade in I Dunedin. The scheme is welcomed not I only because it will stimulate the build- I ing and allied industries, thereby pro- I riding mucli-iicedcd work for men in I their normal occupations, but also be- | cause all agree with the Minister, the ; Hon. Adam Hamilton; that there is an acute shortage of houses in the dominion at present. The President of the New Zealand Builders’ Federation (Mr Walter Ellis) said that the new scheme was based on the recommendations of the federation, and, while it Was expected that the Government would have fixed the subsidy at Is 3d per square foot of floor space, the subsidy was definitely restricted to new dwellings or to additions to existing dwellings. The fact that commercial and public buildings have been eliminated from the scheme met with general approval of the builders, while its more simple operation was also appreciated. Builders were not required to indulge in an excessive amount of work in cheeking up labour costs on all the tradesmen employed on a job at different times. The scheme should also result in a greater demand for New Zealand timber and materials. “ There is no doubt that there is a shortage of good dwellings-, in Dunedin,” said Mr Ellis. “We often have inquiries for houses of a modern nature which the old type of colonial house does not fulfil, and in view of the fact that it is estimated that there is a s shortage of 10,000 houses throughout the dominion, another 2,000 houses are required in Dunedin.'” The rules covering applications under the new scheme state that the subsidy will bo paid on tho enclosed floor space at the rate of Is per square foot, and in no case to exceed 8 per cent, of tho 'contract price, with a maximum subsidy of £BO on a single dwelling. It is a condition that tho work be done by contract either on public or private tenders. One of the main objects of the scheme is to ensure that New Zealand materials aro used. Applicants making use of imported materials, other than the following, will render their claim liable to cancellation or to substantial reduction-Plaster-lathing (iron or wood), tiling battens, roofing iron, metal tiles or slates, Douglas fir (Oregon) for outside doors, beains or scantling over 24ft in length, Californian redwood (for use only for outside doors, window sashes and shingles), structural or reinforcing steel, plumbing fixtures, door and window hardware (other than , casement stays), glass. Work must bo commenced within two calendar months after approval, and must be carried out with despatch and completed within a, period of four months after commencement. Applications for the subsidy must be signed by the owner, and reasons must bo given ; (if any) which prevent the work being undertaken without the subsidy. Plans and specifications must accompany the applications,' which should be forwarded to the certifying officer for transmission by him to the. Unemployment Board. The hoard reserves the fight to approve or decline any application, and to take whatever action it may deem necessary for any broach of the conditions laid down in the notice of approval.