CANBERRA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19148, 3 November 1927, Page 4

CANBERRA.

PERMANENT BUILDINGS. Before turning the first sod in preparation for the foundation of the permanent administrative building of Canberra, the Prime Minister (Mr Bruce) said that the time had arrived when they should consider -whether they would proceed with the erection "of temporary buildings, or whether all structures should be permanent. Continuing, Mr Bruce said that they realised the necessity there had been up to the present lor temporary buildings, to enable the transfer to Canberra to be effected this year, but ho did not think it was to the advantage of the Federal Capital, or of the future of Australia, that they should continue what would be a false idea of economy by erecting temporary buildings. Many of them would bo eventually of very little value in the administration of the Commonwealth. He thought that they would have to face the problem, and instead of erecting temporary structures, to disfigure the face of the capital, they would have to erect buildings that would bo 9 credit to Canberra, and to tho Commonwealth.

In turning the'sod, Mr Bruce expressed the opinion that the building would be worthy of the capital, and worthy to house the Commonwealth's administrative staffs for many years. Situated between Parliament House and Mount Pleasant, within what is known as the Government triangle, the administrative building will occupy a block of land approximately three acres in extent. It will not be completed until about four years from the time of commencement.

Sods were also turned by the Minister for Home and Territories (Mr Marr), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Chariton), and Mr Mackay, M.P., who was chairman of the Parliamentary Public Works Committee, when the'construction of the building was approved.