BUILDING TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1923, Page 4

BUILDING TRADE.

“BRISK ALL OVER NEAY ZEALAND.” ‘The building trade is brisk till over New Zealand in every class of work,” stated Air A. Fletcher, a well-known New Zealand builder, in an interview with a “New Zealand Times” reporter. “There lias been a steady revival of business in the trade during the last eighteen months, anil the outlook for the immediate future is quite good, and in the cities there arc numerous businesses and factory blocks, either contemplated or in the course of erection.” There was a, growing inquiry for house building, and in his opinion that was due to some extent- to the increased facilities offered by the State Advances Department, and when the Valuation Department was more quickly able to cope with the proposed dwellings, there was every prospect of a regular boom right through the Dominion. In regard to costs, there was not much movement iu either direction, stated Air Fletcher. The lower classes of timber were cheaper than they were some time ago. but on the other hand, the prices of heart lines had increased very considerably, anil ns heart timber was list'll more in tin- Wellington district that in any other in New Zealand. the cost of building was rather higher here than elsewhere. A shortage of skilled tradesmen is the outstanding feature in the trade at present.” stated Air Fletcher. “espoitialiy bricklayers tint! plasterers, and the scarcity of these men is holding up quite a number of important jobs.” In the bricklaying ami plastering trades there was a dearth of apprentices. and in his opinion, parents looking to the future of their hoys should study what these trades had to ofler to hoys willing to apply themselves. Carpenters and joiners were none too plentiful. hut in comparison to other trades the position was not so acute. A new carpenters' award had recently been filed, said Air I- li-teher, and certain concessions had been obtained by the men. The feeling, in the trade was that wages would remain lor the present at least at tlm present level, which is considerably higher than that provided for in the award.