Editorial Comment

Progress, Volume XI, Issue 4, 1 December 1915, Page 489

Editorial Comment

Mixed The opportunity afforded by holding Functions hr Wellington simultaneously a conference of New Zealand architects, and of the Master Builders’ Association, enabled an important matter of joint concern to be threshed out. A deputation to the architects from the builders urged the unfairness of architects acting as guarantors of sub-contractors selected by themselves after the calling of tenders. Naturally the architects called to mind the extensive practice prevailing, especially in the case of dwellings, of builders drawing plans and pretending to perform the architect’s functions—we say “pretending,” because a builderarchitect is a contradictory species, whose conscience must always be quarrelling with his actions. Quite an important function of the architect is the safeguarding of the building owner by seeing that good lasting materials are specified, and that they are actually supplied and used to best advantage. How can the builder-architect conscientiously look after these features of the business when his whole life is spent in trying to make ends meet in face of rising prices of material and growing demands of labour? The client who thinks this out will see plainly that in employing the double-purpose builder he is straining poor human nature to a breaking-point, and that he (the client) will suffer, in the long run from all the weaknesses of the position. Our friend the architect who mixes speculative business with his profession has also to walk warily if he is to maintain the high tradition of the profession. Architects have a stronger position to-day, under the new statute than a year ago. They possess a legal status, protection from untrained and irresponsible competitors, and a good organization to see that their interests are conserved. It is a case, not only of “preference to unionists,” but of monopoly to the registered architect, and he thus has a very good protection from annoying experiences of the past.

The Man From the preliminary results of the Supply National War Census the country has learned some facts which stir the blood.

This is only a small country in the matter of population, yet it contains 109,000 men of military age who are willing to fight for the Empire. Beside this fine total must be placed about 42,000 who are carrying out their patriotic purpose who have either fought, or are in training for military service. We also have to reflect that the community contains 35,000 men who will neither help in a civil nor a military capacity to win a war upon which our future freedom, happiness, and prosperity intimately depends. These acknowledged selfish shirkers will we have no doubt, receive their just deserts when the community can spare time for the disagreeable job. They could be disfranchised at the least. There is necessarily a large class which in view of its obligations to men who are actually fighting, or to dependents who could not be left to shift for themselves on a soldier’s pay or pension, cannot pledge itself to military service. But the men in this category, numbering 43,500, are willing to help in a civil capacity, which shows that they have the right spirit of loyal sacrifice. The census brings us all more closely into touch with the stern reality of things. Every man in New Zealand has had to put some straight questions to himself in relation to his share in the epoch-making struggle, and the result has been an assurance that New Zealand’s manhood is of sterling stuff.

The Business Supply

As the war goes on without sign of early peace, we have to resolve upon sacrifices hitherto not considered. The steady draining away of our able-bodied manhood must soon show its effect in the industrial life of the community. Our labour supply must be extended unless the country’s productive activities are to diminish. Meat, butter, and cheese and clothing material are as valuable as ammunition to the Allies, and New Zealand’s , duty is to supply these vital elements to the extreme limit of its capacity. Workers from the farms now in the trenches, look to those who remain to “do their bit,” secure from shell-fire and Zeppelins, and many a man who has not done country work will soon have to take it up. The Prime Minister talks of organising this needed diversion of town labour into the primary industries. Where does the builder come in? He has been busy erecting new freezing works to cope with the growing demand for our “food-munitions”— we may coin a phrase to meet the point we make—and as building operations have been at zero for eighteen months, there is now a good deal of work in hand which must be done. As the depletion of the able-bodied labour supply goes on, we will have to draw in fresh elements, and it will he part of the Government’s duty to overhaul the Labour legislation, lessen the restrictions, and ease the conditions so that the unskilled labour offering may be usefully employed on necessary work. If this is done in co-operation with the labour organisations, and the latter given assurances that awkward precedents will not be established for after-the-war purposes, there should be little difficulty. We believe the building

industry will have to look out for itself promptly, or it may fail to get that consideration which its importance deserves.

The war has not damped the ardour of Town Planning advocates; rather, it has stimulated them to prepare for the time when, the world being free from the hampering influence of the great struggle upon domestic development, things will go ahead at a fast pace. The Town Planning movement exists to ensure that breakneck development will not be on lines of lasting ugliness and inconvenience. The great Town Planning opportunity is, of course, in Belgium, and the best minds of three countries are busy on the essential preliminaries of such a reconstruction as will tax even the vaunted resouces of modern industry and workmanship. So far as Australasia is concerned, the movement was never better organised nor more alive. Tasmania now has its Town Planning Association, and we hear from a well-informed enthusiast that a Town Planning Bill is to be taken up by the Tasmanian Government. South Australia is prepared to legislate in the same way, and the Royal Commission on Housing which has reported in Victoria will do much to educate the public upon the point all Town Planners should stressthat Town Planning will help to avoid mistakes which prove expensive to remedy after the population has settled in a badly planned area. It was reported recently that Mr. Charles C. Reade, who is still busy with his Town Planning lectures in Australia, would be able to visit New Zealand shortly, but until he has completed some governmental work in the Commonwealth, and New Zealanders are less concerned with patriotic carnival effort, a Dominion tour would not be so effective as would be the case under different circumstances. The Auckland Town Planning League has issued its Constitution, showing that architects, builders and layman are usefully co-operating for furtherance of Town Planning ideals. Public spirited women also concern themselves with the movement in Auckland, and they are represented on a very useful Vigilance Committee such as every Town Planning Association ought to have. The duty of this committee is as follows:(1) To obtain early information and report to the Council upon proposed subdivisions, traffic routes, or other public works, Existing and prospective; all proposals for buildings that would detrimentally affect the health, convenience, or beauty of Auckland, on the placing of public buildings, statues, fountains, etc., on the housing of the people, and, further, to report to the Executive from time to time upon the condition of Auckland’s volcanic hills, the beaches in the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, and other natural beauties of or appurtenant to or enjoyed by the City of Auckland. (2) To report on the disfigurement of the City by sky-signs, posters, and hoarding advertisements, and suggest means of amelioration or removal. (3) To report on any proposed destruction of scenes of natural beauty. Special committees also exist for the purpose of dealing with Parks and Playgrounds, Legislation, and Publicity; and we note by the personnel that they are representative and influential bodies.

- Town Planners Alive