GREATEST INDUSTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1936, Page 8

GREATEST INDUSTRY

BUILDING IN BRITAIN. Building now employs more workers than any other industry in Britain. That is one of the interesting statements contained in the first Year Book, recently published, of the Building Industries National Council. Every branch of that industiy, from the labourer to, the architect and engineer, is represented on the council. All matters of common concern are kept under constant review. The Year Book shows that the building industry has a total turnover of approximately £550,000,000 annually, and, directly or indirectly, employs about 3,000,000 work-people. For 10 years it has functioned without a single major dispute with regard to wages or any other of the problems that have arisen elsewhere. It is revealed that one-third of the annual trade turnover arises from tire expenditure of public money. Lord Amulree, in a foreword to the Year Book, says: “The building industry is slowly but surely becoming recognised as one of the most important economic forces in the country. Its power of employment, properly organised, can be a source of great economic good. Conversely, the existence of unemployment in that industry can do, and does, untold harm to the national well-being.” Mr. Sydney Tatchell, president of the council, writes that, with cooperation and goodwill there should be no undue fears as to the future wellbeing of the industry, and he anticipates an increased degree of unlightened interest from the Year Book.