BUILDING PLANS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 179, 30 June 1936, Page 12

BUILDING PLANS

PARLIAMENT HOUSE. COMPLETION LIKELY. WELLINGTON, Juno 30. The possibility of the completion of Parliament Buildings as part of the Government’s public works proposals Avas referred to in an interview last night by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage). “The matter has not yet been finally considered by Cabinet,” Mr Savage said, “and )t is too early to state whether the work will form part of the Government’s early programme. However to my mind the completion of Parliament Buildings and the provision of proper accommodation for the Legislature would be one of the ways in which New Zealand’s centennial could be adequately marked. Even if an early start was made Avith the Avork it would hardly bo completed much before 1940.” • At present the main block of Parliament Buildings is only about twotliirds completed. The foundationstone Avas laid in 1912, but the constructional work was frequently interrupted, and it was not until 1920 that the present building Avas officially opened. At present only the central block and the north wing have been completed, the rest ol the buildings comprising the old wooden structure, formerly Government House, which stands on the site to be occupied by .the south wing, and the Gothic library block which adjmus the north wing of the main building. For tho completion of the building, the old wooden building will have to be demolished, and as it houses five suites of Ministerial offices, some difficulty may be experienced in finding the necessary accommodation while the completion of the main building is in progress. Another important work that is likely to be undertaken in the near future is the construction of a ucav railway station in Christchurch. The building of houses for renting is another feature of the Government’s public works policy. This wiII be apart from the scheme provided for under the State Advances Corporation, which is empowered to make generous loans to those desiring to erect f.omes of their own.