BUILDING TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 11

BUILDING TRADE

OPERATIONS SLACKEN SKILLED MEN SEEK WORK IMPROVEMENT IN PROSPECT With the slackening off of building for defence and a decided falling away in construction for private enterprise, some unemployment has developed among carpenters, painters and bricklayers. Until recently, builders were often at their wits' end to obtain skilled labour. It is a long time since they were in the position in which thev now are of receiving daily inquiries for work from carpenters and others. State housing Government construction are absorbing most of the energies of the building trade. There has been a wider spread than formerly in State housing contracts, which has compensated many builders for the decline in private work. Prices and Materials The attitude of private enterprise, particularly in the case of commercial buildings, is attributed to high prices and the restricted range of materials now available. Builders anticipate that there will be an improvement in State building immediately after the close of the financial year on March 31. Numbers of State contracts are then likely to be let. although many of these will not b«> for large projects. More naval building on North Shore is contemplated, as well as a housing scheme at Kingseat. the construction of further auto- # matic telephone exchanges and an enlargement of present operations at the telegraph workshops at Newmarket. Other State Activities Reconstruction of the ground floor and some of the basement of the Chief Po:>t Office is intended to be started in the next few months, the drawing of plans for this work now being in progress. There is reason to suppose that the Government intends to build the new post office in Wellesley Street this year, but it may modify its plans because of war commitments. A start made yesterday on new Harbour Board workshops, and the intended construction of a big building near the Auckland Infirmary by the Hcspftal Board, are naturally welcomed by builders. Some fillip to the situation will also be provided by the building for the Marketing Department, tenders for which are being considered. Among' the few commercial projects immediately pending by private enterprise is the building of a large dye works at Oneluinga, plans for which have been drawn. Quantity surveyors aro also active on the working plans for the proposed Bank of New Zealand building. There is nothing to suggest, that the bank has changed its decision to build as soon as plans are ready and other formalities are completed.