CANBERRA’S POPULATION

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1934, Page 8

CANBERRA’S POPULATION

PENDING INCREASE. TRANSFER OF OFFICIALS. The transfer to Canberra of the central staff of the Australian Department of Commerce, now located in Melbourne, is being considered by the Federal Ministry, and it is likely that it may be carried out within the next six months. Other departments still in Melbourne will be taken to Canberra as soon as housing accommodation is available. Approximately 800 .public servants are still awaiting transfer from Melbourne to Canberra, and the Federal Government is stiff paying office rents in Melbourne to the amount of nearly £ll,OOO a year. The Minister of the Interior, Mr. Perkins, said lately that the Government desired that all the remaining transfers should be effected as soon as possible. It was for this reason that money had been made available for the building of 80 new cottages in Canberra within the next two years. Office accommodation was available in Canberra for some of the departments awaiting transfer, but it was unlikely that any further transfers would be commenced until about April.

The transfer of the 800 officers awaiting removal would, it was estimated, said Mr. Perkins, increase the population of Canberra by about 3000 when the wives and children of the married officers were taken into account.