STATE HOUSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 2

STATE HOUSES

TRANSFER OF TRADESMEN STRONG DUNEDIN PROTEST A deputation representative of the building trade and citizens waited on the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) yesterday morning to protest against the proposal of the Government to take tradesmen compulsorily from Dunedin and employ them in the North Island on the construction of State houses. As a result of the representations the Mayor stated later that he had sent the following telegram to the Minister of Housing Construction (Mr R. Semple):— “ This morning I have been waited upon by a deputation representing the Builders’ Association, the Institute of Architects (Otago branch), and influ-, ential citizens urging that I should lodge with you their protest against the compulsory transference from Dunedin to the North Island of tradesmen essential to the building industry. They pointed out that work of national importance is held up here through a lack of man-power _ and materials, and extensions to existing industrial plant in Otago are delayed in consequence, tradesmen not being available. The erection of an undue proportion of State houses in the North Island is retarding the erection of necessary homes her?, and must ultimately result in the further development of the North Island at the ex- >

pense of the South. • “ Evidence is accumulating that many men sent to the North Island were kept there permanently, thereby accentuating the constant process of encouraging northern development at the expense of the south. I join the deputation in firmly prbtesting. and urge that our tradesmen be retained here for the erection of necessary homes for our people and. the construction of buildings of national importance.” CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTION The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce yesterday sent a telegram to the Minister of Works, Mr R. Semple, asking that a number of skilled tradesmen, including those in the building and allied trades, who have been sent from Dunedin to northern centres from time to time, should be sent back. The Chamber emphasised that the men were required for urgent work m Dunedin.