BUILDING REVIVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19012, 1 August 1933, Page 6

BUILDING REVIVAL.

EFFECTS OF SUBSIDY.

POSITION IN HAMILTON.

GREATER ACTIVITY INDICATED

Following on the widespread recognition of the wages subsidy schemo as a medium for building at the minimum of cost, has come a wave of optimism In the building trade and Its many kindred industries. And this brighter outlook Is not without foundation, for while there has been comparatively little building activity as yet, approval of many of the applications for the subsidy has been forthcoming, and there are definite Indications of a considerable reduction in the ranks of the workless during the next few months, as tradesmen are returned to their normal occupations.

In Hamilton alone the applications for the subsidy lodged at the office of the Labour Department number 88, involving work of a capital 'cost of £35,500, and including 35 new houses. The wages involved will amount to about £9OOO. Forty-eight jobs, including 27 A houses, have been approved, and In most cases a start will be made in the next few weeks. Plans and specifications have been prepared, and others are in course of preparation, for work under the subsidy scheme, and basing the assumption on the fact of 27 new houses being built in and around Hamilton, there is ample ground for the contention that many men will be employed again shortly in the building trade.

Unemployed Figures Decline.

The unemployment figures in Hamilton are down slightly this week, and a further decline is anticipated in the ensuing weeks. The building trade embraces such a wide field of industry that any stimulus given must have extensive repercussions, and with so many kindred trades dependent upon It, the renewed activity indicated in the coming weeks will doubtless benefit many sections. As it is, there is a definitely better tone in existence in the business .community, and there is an apparent desire among those people with capital in hand to carry out building work and renovations, which would have probably been deferred had the subsidy scheme not been introduced. Many enquiries relative to the cosK of building, and obtaining the Unemployment Board’s wages concession are being received, and applications for the subsicly are coming forward steadily at the Hamilton office of the Labour Department. Added impetus to-the revival in building activity is expected when the dairy suppliers’ cheques are paid out at the end of this month. So far as the timber dealers are concerned, there has not been any appreciable variation in their sales up to the present, but as soon as the approved subsidised jobs are started, there should be an improvement in the demand for timber. The same may be said of other industries which supply the building trade. With the increased material requirements there should be a corresponding need for more labour, and for this reason the anticipation of a drop in the unemployment figures seems reasonable enough.

Subsidy Scheme Extended. A fact which does not appear to be generally known Is that the wages subsidy Is obtainable on painting, paperhanging, plumbing and kindred work. There are probably many homes in need of attention in this direction, and once this phase of the wages subsidy scheme is more widely appreciated the number of local applications for the subsidy should be materially augmented. The scope of the subsidy scheme has been further widened with the decision of the Unemployment Board to make a subsidy available on joinery work. The classes of joinery eligible are doors, door frames, window sashes and frames, mantelpieces, and stair cases. A subsidy additional to that payable in respect of wages on the job, including joinery prepared on the job, will be paid to the owner carrying out the work, on any or all of the previously described items of joinery that are manufactured and supplied by a registered factory for use on an approved job. The basis of the subsidy will be eight per cent, of the amount paid for the joinery at the factory, and after deduction of accounts and allowances. If the invoice price includes delivery the cost of delivery must be deducted. Claims for this subsidy must be supported by receipts and invoices showing in detail the net factory cost, and the invoices must be accompanied by a certificate from the builder carrying out the work, to show that the joinery upon which subsidy is claimed has been received and used on the approved job.