Land Agent-Builders ‘Should Be Curbed'

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 9

Land Agent-Builders ‘Should Be Curbed'

(New Zealand Press Association)

TAURANGA, March 8.

The New Zealand Federation of Master Builders today rejected a remit urging it to make a detailed investigation into the inroads being made by land agent-builders into the building industry and to take steps to curtail such activities. The rejection was on the ground of contravention of the rights of private enterprise. The remit was presented by M’- E. S. Lethborg, of Waikato, who said that for many years the Waikato association of the federation had been concerned at the land agent-financier-builder capturing the bulk of the housing and small commercial building jobs.

“In the Waikato it is estimated that 82 per cent of the homes built are being built by land agents with a very slick sales staff, operating several ‘labour-only’ gangs. “It is felt that this is not in the best interests of the building industry and that some steps should be taken to curb their a-tivities,” Mr Lethborg said. “If we pass this remit, we cut right across what we Stand for—private enterprise,” said Mr R. E. Webby, of Hutt Valley. A Sydney visitor to the coference, Mr E. Morris, said that in New South Wales there were more builders in real estate than there were real estate agents in building.