BUILDING INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 4

BUILDING INDUSTRY

MOBILISATION OF A GRADE MEN EFFECT ON ERECTION OF HOMES Wellington, This Day. .Manpower <]ittioyltics of I lie bulkling and allied industries were referred to by tbe Minister of Works. Mr. Semple, in a reply on Saturday to by tbe Anekinnd Muster Builders' Assoeialion. lie said be was fully seized with Ills necessity for the provision of houses for those at present, liviue under sub-stand-ard eouditions. He was fully imbued wiih ibe desire tu erect homes for tbe people in ever-increasing numbers, whether by the Slate or by private enterprise. nuU no one regretted more than ho did that it had been necessary for the Government to take a decision which would further embarrass an already seriously embarrassed industry. “The obstacles in the way of bouse* buildup in wartime are serious and numerous. and the calling-up of further Grade 1 men is just one more hurdle which will make iny object «*f producing houses in ever-increasing numbers the more difficult of accomplishment,” the Minister. “Who. however, would denv ihe Government the right to provide reinforcements for tlie purpose of replacing those men overseas who have for so lone borne the bruin, and suffered .the risks and privations of active service/ This is the whole crux of the question, and 1 for one would not deprive these men of their right to return to their homeland merely for the purpose of seeing my plans brought to fruition. Readjustment of Manpower. “One thing that is not fully appreciated is that at the point of the calling up of a further draft for service with the armed forces nobody, not even tbe appeal boards, is in a position to say whar contribution each industry will make to that ouota. Till the quota is actually tilled, the losses to each industry cannot be determined, but at that point it theu becomes necessary for a readjustment of manpower right throughout the various industries, having regard to their particular priorities. "One case in point, which is only one of many, might be quoted. A certain range manufacturing linn started off the new year by manufacturing 130 ranges a week. Through losses of manpower ami other circumstances the production dropped to below 30 a week, and this firm was certainly very embarrassed, but through a readjustment of manpower i heir out put is now steadily increasing. This is typical of what is happening iu nearly every industry. After live years of war the pool of Grade 1 men available is so depleted that it is quite impossible to till the quota of reinforcements by restricting the calling-up to specified industries. The men can be found only by a combing through of the nation’s entire resources of manpower. Admittedly, the building industry will suffer as a result, but there is no certainty at this stage that by a readjustment of manpower we will not be. able at least lo maintain or even accelerate our present building programme. In other words, tbe embarrassment should be merely a temporary phase. “Without detracting from New Zealand’s war effort, which is irulv phenomenal. 1 say. with th c exception of those people who have suffered through the absence and loss of their loved ones, this country has indeed been very fortunate. The embarrassment to industry suffered here is infinitesimal in comparison with that suffered bv the maioritv of the Allied nations. Constructional Activities. ‘‘ln regard to planning the country's constructional activities so that the limited material can be equated to the manpower available, the Commissioner of Works, in conjunction with Ihe Building Controller and the Director of Manpower, exercises an engineering and economic review over all projects being carried out for tbe Government, while the Government’s programme is co-ordinated with the industrial and private programmes through the Building Controller. New Zealand’s achievements in building dtirin'* the war rears are truly remarkable. Over and above the tremendous defence construction programme, house-building has never completely ceased, and it is inlerpfitijig to note New Zealand’s effort as compared with Australia’s. ••ToV ihe five rears ended December 31, TS44 24.890 permits for dwelling houses were issued. 13,241 of which were for private dwellings, and 31.658 for Stale rental houses. For the year ended J>e-'-ember 31. 3944. the number of permits issued was 3300—1435 private. 1843 State. Compare this with the whole of Australia, which in the same year contracted H total of 354 houses only. “The truth of the matter is that the building industry today enjoys a seller’s market.” ‘said Mr. Semple. “Demand is far greater than supply and the component factors arc out of equilibrium. Supply of manpower is out of equilibrium with materials and material supply is out <>f equilibrium with demand. It behoves the Government in the face of these difficulties to endeavour to preserve the proper balance between the three and l think the measure of success that has been attained can be gauged by the results achieved.”