HOUSING AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 94, 14 January 1918, Page 6

HOUSING AFTER THE WAR

THE SUPPLY OF BUILDING MATERIALS. i The Minister of Reconstruction, after consultation with the President of the Local Government Board and the Secretary for Scotland, has appointed a committee to i onsider and report en the question of the supply of building materials after the war. The terms of reference are as follow: — (1) To inquire into the extent of the probable demand for building material for all purposes which will arise in this country during the transition period, and the extent <■{ the available supply and form of such material. (2) To inquire how far. the quantities of material now available are capable of increase, what are the difficulties in increasing them, and how these difficulties can be removed; and to report to what extent an increase in production will affect the price of the materials. (3) In the event of the supply cf material or labour being insufficient to fulfil the total building demand, to consider the principles and method by which the priority of various claims should be settled;,and to report what steps are necessary to ensure that the manufacture of the materials, so far as they are at present inadequate, shall be extended in time to secure sufficient quantities for use when required on the cessation of hostilities; and to recommend what steps should bo taken during the war to facilitate a prompt commencement of building work at that time.

(4) Generally to consider and report upon anv conditions affecting the building trades which tend to cause unduly high prices, and to make recommendations in regard to any measure of control whicli.it may be "desirable to exercise over the charges,, production, transport, or distribution of materinl.