HOUSE BUILDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25172, 9 April 1945, Page 4

HOUSE BUILDING

MANPOWER DIFFICULTY ARMY'S CALL FOR MEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Saturday Replying to recent criticism regarding the shortages of manpowef for the building industry, the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, stated today that he was fully aware of the necessity for the provision of homes for those, including returned men, at present living under sub-standard conditions. "Obstacles in the way of house building in wartime are serious and numerous, and this calling up of further Grade 1 men is just one more hurdle which will make my object of producing houses in ever-increasing numbers the more difficult of accomplishment," he said. "W T ho, however, would deny the Government the right to provide reinforcements for the purpose of replacing those men overseas who for so long have borne the brunt and suffered the risks and privations of active service?" New Zealand's achievements in building during the war were remarkable, he added. Over and above the tremendous defence construction programme, housebuilding had never completely ceased and it was interesting to note how New Zealand's effort compared with that of Australia. For the five years ended December 31, 1944, a total "of 24,899 permits, for dwellings were issued in the Dominion, 13,241 of which were for private dwellings and 11,658 for State rental houses. For the year ended December 31, 1944, the number of permits issued was 3300, of which 1455 were private and 1845 State. For the whole of Australia in the same year there was constructed a total of 354 houses. "The truth of the matter is that the building industry today enjoys a seller's market." said the Minister. "The demand is far greater than the supply, and the component factors are out of equilibrium. The supply of manpower is out of equilibrium with the materials, and the material supply is out of equilibrium with the demand. It behoves the Government to endeavour to preserve a proper balance between the three, and I think the measure of success that has been attained can be gauged by the results achieved." WORK VACANCIES WELLINGTON INDUSTRIES (PI.) WELLINGTON, Saturday Labour shortages in Wellington are reported to be more acute than" ever, and the manpower authorities have a job in front of them. The position is 'stated to have slipped back since the beginning of the year. There are over 3000 vacancies waiting to be filled in essential industries in the Wellington city and Hutt areas. Notwithstanding a stringent review which has been carried out, the figures in respect of labour shortages have increased. There are 1982 vacancies awaiting male workers in the Wellington and Hutt areas and the vacancies for female workers total 1066. ALL ROADS OPEN CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Sunday The weather in Northland cleared yesterday and all roads were open, with the falling of flood waters. Generally, traffic was back to normal, and, although slips have been reported on some roads, all are now passable. There were light showers yesterday morning, but later the day was fine. Temperatures are still generally high for this time of year, so that there is an appreciable growth of pastures. PURSUIT AND ARREST CAR CONVERSION -CHARGE (0.c.) TAUMARUNUI, Sunday Several motor-cars, were reported missing in the vicinity of Taumarunui yesterday morning. W T hen Constable MacLennan, of Ongarue, was communicated with he came down the main highway and met two strangers on the road about three miles south of Ongarue. The constable spoke to the men, but the conversation had not gone far when they jumped a fence and made off into the scrub. Other police arrived and two men were caught near the Ongarue River. At the Magistrate's Court, Taumarunui, before justices of the peace, Robert Frederick Smith and Frederick P. Wardrop were charged with unlawfully converting to their own use a motorcar valued at £250, the property of Ernest Carlington. When recovered Mr Darlington's car was stacked up with goods which were not in it when he parked it in his garage. Tea, fruit, mirrors, blankets, a mattress, towels, petrol, tinned fruit and a gramophone were among the articles found in tfie car. The accused were remanded. THIS WEEK'S COUPONS Ration coupons available this week are:'— Meat (ration Is 9d weekly), H coupon worth 6d, others 3d; child's ration lid weekly, J coupon .sd>.—Nos. 23 and 24. Butter (ration Boz weekly, each coupon 807,).—N05. 23 and 24. available until April 15. Sugar (ration 2ilb monthly, each coupon lOoz).—Nos. 21 to 24, inclusive, available until April 15. Tea (ration Boz monthly, each coupon 2oz).—Nos. 21 to 24, inclusive, available until April 15. Petrol (ration half face value of coupon).—Nos. 9 and 10, available until April 30.