BUILDING MATERIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23055, 4 December 1936, Page 8

BUILDING MATERIALS

PURCHASE THROUGH TRADE DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. Information regarding the , purchase of materials for the houses to be built under the Government housing scheme was sought to-day by a deputation of building material merchants and the allied trades from the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) and the Parliamentary Under-secretary in charge of Housing (Mr J. A. Lee). The deputation asked that purchases should be made through the usual channels. An assurance was given to the deputation that the Government desired the goodwill and co-operation of those engaged in and associated with the building industry, but the prices to be charged would be an important factor in determining the extent of the utilisation of such services. It was pointed out that if the prices were considered uneconomic, and it was felt that a saving could be effected by entering into an agreement with a group of producers, the Government did not intend to forgo that right. , Mr Lee said, however, that he thought the bulk of the material would come through the ordinary trade channels. For the intitial contracts it was not intended to buy a single commodity.