THE BUILDING TRADE

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12989, 11 January 1915, Page 7

THE BUILDING TRADE

Pre«s Association. —By Telegrapk. WELLINGTON, Jan. 9.

A deputation representing builders, architects and owners of timber country waited on the Prime Minister today. It was urged that the State should come to the rescue of men who wanted to build and find the necessary money so as to prevent, the sawmills being obliged to close down, which had happened in some cases partially and some wholly. One of the speakers said that the difficulty was that building luans granted by Government were either too small or too loug delayed, and the result was that many small builders were idle. What we want, he added, is cheap money and plenty of it. In replying, Mr Massey said he hardly thought the public understand what Government was doing in the matter of supplying money. He knew the war had had a serious effect on the timber industry, but Government had done everything possible to meet the difficulty that had arisen. r ihe Advances to \\ orkers Act was in full Operation. To-day £4OO was being advanced in each case where sufficient

security was provided. As to advances to settlers, Government was actually giving preference to those who wanted to borrow money for the purpose of building. He did not know what more could be done. As to the suggested issue of paper money for the purpose it would only mean the issue of so many promissory notes which would have the .vorst possible effect on the credit of the Dominion and might cause serious financial depression. When the money market was suitable Government would take care that an additional supply of money was brought into the country for the purposes required.