BUILDING BOOM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 159, 21 June 1935, Page 4

BUILDING BOOM

SCHOOLS AND HOUSES Intention of the Government TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT There is the prospect that before long there will be a national scheme of remodelling and constructing schools, as well as a major house-building project in the main centres of the Dominion. This announcement was made by Mr. G. A. Maddison, chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, at the board meeting at Napier this morning, as the result of what he beards at Wellington recently. Members said that this decision of the Government would have a marked effect upon the unemployment question. Mr Maddison said ho had every reason to believe that before long arrangements would be made between different departments of the Government and the Unemployment Board lor the undertaking of considerable expenditure to cover the construction and reconstruction of schools, and the remodelling of present buildings. “The Government and the Unemployment Board maintain that b | Iding is the finest means of facing uf, to the unemployment question ” Mr C. R. Sainsbury: It has taken them four years to find that out. Mr Maddison added that the spending of largo sums upon buildiug affected many trades and their branches, and it was realised that a large scheme such as the one contemplated was tfio best means of absorbing hundreds of unemployed. He said that in the near future be would submit to the board a list of emergency works in the board’s area, so that the board could participate in the projected scheme. In addition, the Government would probably be embarking upon a major scheme of house-building similar to that of England. Though the work would mainly be confined to the cities, where there were slum conditions, the plan would have a pronounced effect Upon tho unemployment question. Board members expressed their approval of tho proposed scheme.