N.Z. FEDERATED BUILDERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19247, 26 February 1925, Page 4

N.Z. FEDERATED BUILDERS

DOM INI ON CONFERENCE OPENING SESSION The New Zealand Federated Builders arc holding their Dominion Conference in Wanganui this year. The opening session took place yesterday morning at the U.S.A. The delegates present were: (Messrs W. H. Windsor (president). A. M. Wilson, F. F. Fawcett, 11. Mainland, W. A. W. Grenfell (executive), A. H I. A. Ball, A. Youngston (Southkind), T. Scott, H. C. Anderson. W. Ross, A. S. Cookson, J. McCormack, W. H. Bennett (Dunedin), W. Parkin, W. Mill (Wellington), G. G. Pollard, C. A. Lee, J. 11. Hutchinson (Auckland), L. W. Chisholm, E. Walpole (Wanganui), G. W. Aitken (Gisborne), H. Kinkey,!’. 11. Night ingale, 11. Williamson (Canterbury), 11. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay), 11. 11. Johnston (Nelson). Mr L. AV. Chisholm, on behalf of the local branch of the Federation, welcomed the delegates, recalling that it was fourteen years since lhe last conference was held in Wanganui. The Mayor (Mr Hope Gibbons) welcomed the visitors on behalf of the citizens. He believed the conference would discuss subjects of the greatest importance to the .Dominion, as the builders, together with the architects, had a big influence on the populace. One of the most important matters j was the housing of the people, which was regarded as of just as much importance as the provision of roads, trams, post offices, and everything else. When in England in 1920, ho discussed the housing problem. There they had adopted the uneconomical method of building houses costing £lOOO to £12,000, and letting them at 15s a week. The | return was less that 24 per cent., although the money cost. (5 per cent. It | was done because housing was absolutely necessary. In New Zealand the principle of providing houses for peo- • [de had been adopted, ami lie believed that all employers should mlopt it. Holland had raised money by enforced loans for housing, the investors getting only 2-} per cent., with a term of 42 years for the repayment of principal. The Mayor said that, he believed that New Zealand builders played the game, and he hoped they would continue to do so. For good health, it was neeeqsary to have parks and open spaces I'or the people, but it was just as nee’essary that the people should be properly housed, and he believed in that direction that the builders could help things along. Since the creation of Greater Wanganui, more stringent by-laws had been adopted in the city area. would not allow overcrowding of buildings, and builders could help by giving their support. In concluding, Mr Gibbons expressed the hope that, the delegates would enjoy their visit to iWanganui, rind that the conference I would lie productive of much good, j (Applause). Mr N. Meuli, an ex president of the I Federation, ‘said it was a pleasure Io I see so many young members ready to ■itaki'. up the work. He spoke interesti|ingly of the work oi tTio Federation : in the past. ■ The president of the Federation (Mr i W. 11. Windsor) thanked th A Mayor on • behalf of the delegates and the Indios. The conference then settled down to work.