MANY HANDICAPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 6

MANY HANDICAPS

BUILDING INDUSTRY AVOIDABLE SHORTAGES OUTPUT RESTRICTED BY CONTROLS PA WELLINGTON, May 16. Very great concern is felt that the building industry is not recovering from war-time and post-war limitations, and is at present incapable of meeting the reasonable needs of the community, says a joint statement issued by the New Zealand Institute of Architects and the New Zealand Federation of Builders and Contractors. The two bodies have recently conducted investigations into difficulties in the building and material supply industries in New Zealand. It is clearly established, says the statement, that the greatest influence controlling the capacity of the building industry is labour, and that the industry is also seriously influenced by the limited availability of materials, which relate to world shortages, particularly of steel. Many of the materials required are produced in this country, the statement continues. Imported materials include steel, metal pipes, and sheet metal. Coal is an important requirement in the local production of some materials, such as cement and bricks. Tradesmen Lost It is apparent that the building industry tends to lose skilled tradesmen to other industries, including some which have been newly established. The loss of productive tradesmen to the enlarged Civil Service is reflected throughout all industries. The reduction in effective working time resulting from the 40-hour week, together with other privileges, are reflected in an overall reduction in output per operative. Every form of control, accompanied by high taxation, discourages efficient output, says the statement. There is considerable dissipation of effort in surmounting the hurdle of oermits, approvals, and supply difficulties, instead of increasing production. . The statement sets out recommendations to remedy the difficulties facing the building industry. The first of these is the most urgent need of a general revival of the will to work. Every possible agency, the statement says, should be engaged to remedy the effect of various reverse influences. When the vital building industry of the community is undermined by the advent of new industries, some of which are of questionable value, it is time to consider every activity on its merits of usefulness to the community. A material reduction in taxation would encourage effort, initiative, and industry on all sides, and the total taxation receipts might not be adversely affected. So long as the present difficulties continue, says the statement, the need for building control will remain, but the simplification, reduction, and eventual elimination of controls should be a constant objective. All problems which create the nee'd for controls call for a solution. A building facilitation department is required, the statement says, rather than a building control department. Effect of Import Duties The difficulties in the supplies of overseas materials, such as steel, are beyond remedy in New Zealand., but every effort should be made to obtain for New Zealand the maximum supplies available. There is room for reconsideration of import duties to lighten the excessive costs to the consumer of supplies from countries subject to high duty. Outlining the building needs of the community, the statement says that emphasis on housing, with the complete stoppage of many other forms of needed building work, justifies periodical examination. While a serious housing shortage exists, there is justification for a review of its extent. Housing should be considered in its broadest aspects. While justifiable emphasis has been placed on houses, the housing of the community during the working day should also receive some attention. Very few industrial and practically no commercial buildings have been erected for a very long time. With the increased working populations in all our cities, says the statement, the housing of the working community has steadily deteriorated. Conditions in many offices and factories to-day are overcrowded, badly lit and ventilated, inconvenient and uncomfortable. Other building needs mentioned in the statement are tourist accommodation, sports buildings, theatres, community centres, hospitals, health camps, day nurseries and Plunket rooms. Transport calls for harbour development, railway stations, bus terminals, and airports. Education needs include schools, colleges, university buildings, kindergartens, lecture, halls, and libraries. There is also a need for religious and institutional buildings, and for post offices, police stations, and departmental buildings of all kinds. Local body requirements and highway works, bridges, river control, and railway development are all overshadowed by the high priority given to the construction of numerous large hydro-electric schemes, continues the statement. While these are vitally necessary, it is still important to make provision for all other items in order that ’ development is balanced. Town planning, slum clearance, and progressive development are all waiting on the building industry. “A Sorry Plight":New Zealand is in a sorry plignt when there is a regulation against the ordinary man using a bag of cement to lay a patch of concrete path in his own back yard, says the statement. Difficulties of the building industry affect health, welfare,, amenities, safety, the standard of living, and the progress of all sections of the community. There is an urgent need to face these difficulties, which are capable only of gradual adjustment, concludes the statement. Unless a determined approach is productive of an early solution, there can be no realisation of the outstanding building needs, from the State’s 10-year plans to the modest desires of the ordinary citizen.