PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20803, 11 August 1937, Page 5

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

COMPLETION NOT AT PRESENT By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, August 9. Requirements demanding attention before the completion of Parliament Buildings could be undertaken were referred to by the Prime Minister in an interview to-night. Housing and schools, he said, would have to come first. “First things must come first.” said Mr Savage, when asked if a start with the completion of Parliament Buildings was likely to form part of next year’s Public Works programme so that the buildings might be finished in time for the New Zealand centennial. “I agree it is desirable to have the buildings finished by 1940 and that provision of proper accommodation for the Legislature would be one of the ways by which the centennial could be adequately marked,’’ said Mr Savage, “but it is difficult to say exactly when a start can be made. The Government’s objective is quite clear. The housing of the people and school accommodation with a view to brightening generail} 7 the conditions under which children are taught will come first. A number of other public buildings are also urgently required apart from the necessity for these services. There is also the question of skilled labour. The number of skilled tradesmen is limited. Even once a start has been made there are a thousand and one factors affecting progress, and it would be difficult for one to say this or that will be completed in such and such a year.”