DEFENCE CONTRACTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 61, 13 March 1942, Page 4

DEFENCE CONTRACTION

j COMMISSIONER APPOINTED WIDE POWERS GIVEN .MR. FLETC HER AC CEPTS JOB WITHOUT REMUNERATION (P A.) Wellington, March 12. Mr. James Fletcher has been appointed Defence Construction Commissioner, according to an announcement by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, to-day, who also announced the following personnel of the Defence Construction Council: Rt. Hon. P. Fraser (chairman), Hon. F. Jones (Minister of Defence), Hon. H. T. Armstrong (Minister of Public Works), Mr. James Fletcher (vicechairman), Mr. W. L. Newnliam (Public Works Department), Mr. G. W. Albertson (Director of Housing), Mr. A. B. Taylor (Treasury). Mr. Fletcher will be in charge of all construction work for delence throughout the Dominion and will be responsible for a greatly enlarged defence construction programme. He will be given \ery wide powers, including co-ordination of civil and public construction with preference for defence construction work. Mr. Fraser stated that with New Zealand on a war footing, all civil activities must be subordinated to one over-riding necessity the urgent completion of the greatly enlarged defence construction programme. It would be Mr. Fletcher’s function to carry this through, and as commissioner he was charged with the organisation and promotion of all defence works. He would determine the order of urgency of various projects and would ensure the supply of materials, plant and labour for their speedy prosecution. Provision had also been made for the commissioner to give directions to any oflicers of the Public Service whose assistance and co-operation may be required. His powers were made as wide as possible. and he may direct any constructional work, whether eom-

menced by Ihe Crown, local author11. '. public body or other persons, Io be stopped. With the approval of the Minister of Public Works he may dir- et contracts for defence works to b let and. after consultation with the Defence Construction Council, direct labour, materials and plant, to be made available for any defence works al such places and times as he thinks lit. Subject, only lo special directions by the Prime Minister, it. will be the duty of all oflicers to carry out. the directions of the commissioner, and, where necessary, their respective Ministers would authorise and direct them to do so. Mr. Fraser added that when Mr. Fletcher was offered the appointment he readily accepted it. and said he would, for the duration of the war and without remuneration, place his se.’.'.es at the disposal of the Government. FI is example in serving without salary in a nost of such vital importance would be warmly appreciated by the people of the Dominion, who have been familiar for years with his activities and those of his firm in major construction works. “There is no doubt that Mr. Fletcher is the right man for this vitally important job," added Mr. Fraser, “and I am sure that, the fullest and widest, co-operation will be extended to him in his task.”