Building Trade Activity

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 6

Building Trade Activity

GOVERNMENT DEFENDED PRIVATE ENTERPRISE NOT DRIVEN OUT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 21. The Address-in-Reply debate was continued in the House of Representatives this morning, the Minister of Housing, the Hon. K. A. Armstrong,, resuming his speech which was inter-i rupted by the adjournment. When the Government had assumed he said, 83 per cent, of skilled artisans in the building trades were on the dole, while unemployment* funds were being used to assist insurance companies, hotels and freezing companies to build new buildings, in fact, the money was being used for anything and everything but building homes for the people. Since 1936, said Mr Armstrong the house-building vote had been doubled, and in 1939 some 914 more houses were being built than in 1927, which previously was the record year for the house-building in New Zealand. That was a complete answer to people who said that private enter - prise was being driven out of housebuilding.

Speaking of housing for farmers and .arm workers, Mr Armstrong said that the Government recognised it was tima New Zealand turned its attention to the problem, which, however, bristled with .ifficulties. State lending departments always required a first mortgage and could not expect precedence over existing farm mortgages. Where the •State Advances Corporation was the main mortgagee further advances wer® being made in many case®. Mr J. Hodgens (Labour—Palmerston) dealt with defence and criticised th# Opposition’s contention that universal military service was necessary. Mr Hargest, ho said, wanted a standing army of 40,000 to 50,000 in New Zealand. Heaven only knew what ha would like in the event of war.

The House adjourned at 1 p.m.