Builders Blamed For Stabilisation Breaches

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1948, Page 5

Builders Blamed For Stabilisation Breaches

P.A. DUNEDIN, April 7. Builders had only themselves to blame for the recent prosecutions under the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, Said Mr. C. S. Luney (Christchurch) at this morning’s conference of the New Zealand Builders’ Association. Standard wages were provided under the award and numerous builders had offered increases on those rates. The result was that those who had abided by the regulations had been placed in an intolerable position. The discussion arose from a remit, moved by Mr. H. J. Hulse (Auckland) that the Government be requested either to abolish or enforce strictly the regulations in all industries and avenues of employment and that the necessary machinery to deal with applications for wages increases be set up. The remit was* lost and an amendment, moved by Mr. Dickson (Wanganui), was passed. The amendment was the same as the motion, but discarded the clause referring to machinery to deal with applications. DELAYED PAYMENTS. Suggestions for altering the present system of payment to builders were made by Mr. T. F. Playfair (Auckland). The ssytem was a hardship to builders who often procured materials in advance, said Mr. Playfair. He suggested that the State Advances Corporation be approached to agree that on all contracts where the monev is paid through the corporation the contractor, should get monthly payments, , to include payment to be made without special application, apart only from notification of the date of the start of tne contract. ' The minimum payment would be £lOO. except for the semifinal and final payment. It was agreed that the Ministers concerned should be interviewed on Hie subject.