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Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 68, 17 September 1930, Page 13

OUT OF DATE

STATE PRINTING OFFICE

NEW, BUILDING WANTED

Suggestions that the present Governiraent Printing Office should be replaced by an up-to-date building were made in the House of Representatives last aight. • ' ."'"', , . - ■ ■Mr. E. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs) said the work of the office had increased very considerably in. recent years, and the staff at present was ■working under most awkward conditions. .A more commodious building should be re-erected elsewhere.

Mr. J. A. Young (Reform, Hamilton): "In Wellington suburbs?"

Mr. "Wright: "■Wellington suburbs would be a very good place."

The Minister in Charge of the Printing Office (the Hon. S. G. Smrth): "Happy Valley?" (Laughter.)

Mr. B. M'Keen (Labour, Wellington South) said, the.; present buildings were quite antiquated, and steps should be taken to erect an up-to-date printing office: ' At ■ present the Government Printing-Office: was not able to do all the work of the .various Government Departments.-.• ...:..

.. The Minister: said he had looked into :representations ■ which had been made us to the desirability of improving the accommodation. He. had paid one visit to the building, and was perfectly satisfied' that the time had arrived "when something should be done. The question of a new site was one which he thought should be gone into thoroughly, and he was at present engaged in framing a recommendation to Cabinet. Ho'did not wish to pretend that there was ■'•money available to do it now, but fie thought the matter shonld be looked into from a comprehensive point of viow. 'Mr. Smith referred to the alter- ■ Datives of improving the present site or of procuring another site and erecting a new building, in which ease the cost would be largely met by the proceeds of the sale of the present valuable site. The whole question was' receiving serious consideration, but he did not wish it to be.thought that if Cabinet adopted a recommendation it would be put into effect immediately.

The.Leader of the Labour Party '(Mr.. H. E. Holland) expressed the hope that, an entirely new. building would be erected on a new site, and that the. plant would be brought thoroughly tip to d.'ite.