SLACKENING LIKELY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20890, 23 August 1939, Page 13

SLACKENING LIKELY

GOVERNMENT BUILDING CONCENTRATION ON HOUSING (Special to Times) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday The Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, indicated today that the Government is considering a slackening off in the erection of further buildings to enable the available tradesmen to concentrate on housing construction. The Minister stated: “We have been considering for some time what works should be pushed on. and we are all of the opinion that housing is the most important. 11 is not necessary to bring in more artisans t<» catch up the leeway in housing. Big commercial and Government building? are being erected, and we could ease ofT on them, and release (lie men for housing. That is bein». r considered.” Mr Armstrong said his aim was to build 5000 houses a year. If New Zealand did not reach that objective, the leeway of the housing shortage would not be caught. At least jJoOO more skilled workers were needed for the home building trade, and it was not necessary to bring them from other countries. •‘Because of the opportunities offered, artisans are coming by e\ery boat from Australia and England to

seek work,' said Mr Armstrong. ‘‘ln fact, more skilled tradesmen have come to New Zealand on their own initiative than have been engaged overseas to work for the Government.”