NO REPLACEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1932, Page 18

NO REPLACEMENT

GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

CRISIS MUST PASS FIRST

The Government does not intend to embark: on' any large-building scheme for the replacement of the Government buildings in Wellington. All • loan moneys at the present time 'arc being spent on developmental works.. These facts were announced in the House of Representatives last night by the Minister of Public Works (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) when the vote for the maintenance of public buildings was under consideration. ~'.'.

The subject was raised by Mr. B. MeKeen (Labour, Wellington South), who drew attention to the fact that £35,000 was allocated for.the payment of rent of- offices.- for Government departments. 'He suggested .that .if the Government set about on a comprehensive, building scheme to accommodate all the departments in Wellington, a substantial saving, -would be made as well as providing , a great deal of work for unemployed men in the building in-

dllStry.- ;. • , ..- j: , : . , ~ / After.stating the,policy of.tho Government in resppet'-of loan moneys, Mr. Coates said that the time would soon arrivOiWhen the Government would have to undertake a survey of. : tho whole position. > The construction of- a large building for office purposes could not be- undertaken until the. present crisis had-been passed. There, wcice in,existence- tentative plans for a new.building, but there were no immediate .prospects of starting the work. Answering a question concerning the appearance of some of.. the Government buildings, Mr. Coates admitted that some of tho buildings were very shabby and' the Department was. trying .to .get together a few pounds in order to have them painted.