IT IS OPPORTUNE TO BUILD NOW!

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 19

IT IS OPPORTUNE TO BUILD NOW!

THE BUILDING SUBSIDY

An Unemployment Scheme that is of Economic Value No. 2 of a Series of Articles on Architecture and Building, Prepared by Authority of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (Auckland Branch). The Government has been severely criticised in many quarters with regard to certain of its schemed of unemployment relief. The fact that all moneys must be paid out in direct wages, and the lack of available funds to purchase the materials to render such wage expenditure reproductive, has resulted in the virtual waste of much labour on unreproductive and unnecessary work. This criticism cannot be levelled against the building subsidy. In this instance the ownors supply not only the necessary materials, but themselves add an additional amount to the wages, and all moneys spent under this scheme are necessary reproductive works. They may not be directly reproductive to the Government, but they are of material and lasting value to the community, and thus indirectly to the Government itself. The money expended under this scheme, in short, not only gives a certain amount of direct employment, comparable to that expended upon any other scheme, but it encourages other additional expenditure on direct wages by individuals who would not do so under other circumstances. It also, and this is a most important point, maintains the men in their chosen trade, enables them to employ their skill to useful purpose, and in so doing does much to maintain their morale. This is an important point and one of the greatest value, which some of the other schemes lack. Thei'e is always, of course, the carping critic who would abandon any scheme whereby any individual might reap some direct benefit, but the expenditure of relief moneys on any project of permanent economic value is so much more desirable than on works which will be of no benefit to anyone, other than as an excuse for expenditure of money, that at the present time this point can well be disregarded. This scheme was started, and placed on trial for an initial period of six months, which oxpires on December 31. So far as is now known its operation will be confined to projects initiated and approved before that date. It is earnestly hoped, however, that the period will be extended for another six months, or for such further period as a continuation of unemployment relief by the Government is necessary. In the meantime anyone who has any project in mind would do well to get approval of it before the expiry day and make sure of securing the benefits of the scheme, not only to himself, but to the tradesmen who badly need the work. HOW TO PROCEED Perhaps more advantage would have been taken of this particular scheme had owners and prospective builders been more familiar with the procedure involved. The simplest advice that can be given is to consult your registered architect, tell him what you want done, and leave the rest of the worry to him. He will prepare plans, obtain tenders and estimates of the amount of labour required, fill in the forms for your signature, and see that the weekly time-sheet returns are made to the Department. It is quite possible even to nominate local tradesmen of known integrity and ability if the proper Btepß are taken. Anyone can, of course, do these things through other channels, but the architect is, all things considered, the most logical person to do it, and his expert knowledge will be worth more than his fee. He will make no extra charge for drawing his specifications bo as to enable you to take advantage of the subsidy. One© approval of the project is obtained from the Department the weekly wage-sheet returns will bring back direct to the owner the amount of the subsidy to which he is entitled, as the Government then deals with him direct. * THE AMOUNT SAVED The percentage of the total cost of any work which will be covered by the subsidy will, of course, vary according to the general character of the job and the proportion of labour to materials on the individual work to be considered. The greatest saving to the owner is usually effected on those remodelling and renovating projects where the proportion of direct labour to new materials is high. It may be confidently estimated that the savings on entirely new work will amount to at least 5 per cent of the total cost, and to 10 or even 15 per cent for alterations. Can anyone who desires or requires to have any work of this nature executed afford to miss the quadruple opportunity for savings now offering 1 ? Low cost of materials, keen competition, low labour rosts, and a subsidy of from 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Certainly no business man would pass by an opportunity to buy at low cost in any other field. The opportunity is unique ajid those desiring to build, and to build well, at a low price are 1 advised to initiate their projects at oncc. |

THE BRANCH COMMITTEE, AUCKLAND DISTRICT BRANCH, NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

Advertisers on tills page who arc sub-contractors Tor materials are as rollows: Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Co. Ltd., for Bricks; Smith and Smith Ltd. for Wallpapers and Sanitary Equipment; Auckland Electric-Power Board for Electric Power.