PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 August 1942, Page 4

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

MORE ACCOMMODATION

* START MADE WITH WORK Wellington, Aug. 27. i A start has been mode with the build - | ing of an addition on the roof of Parlia--1 j ment House to provide badly needed on < f office . i ; i the Prime Minister and his Depart ; I The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Sullivan) said to-day that the great ex- ■ pansion of New Zealand’s war effort ■ both in operational and administrative matters had taxed office accommodation in Parliament House far beyond iU j capacity for normal times, and in par ticular this had been the case in con- | nection with the Prime Minister’s De j partment. “Every expedient,” said Mr j Sullivan, “has been resorted to and i many improvisations made in order to i cope with the problem. The results, 1 i however, have not been satisfactory, although the staff has cheerfully worked hard, despite toe overcrowded and generally unfavourable conditions. “After careful consideration the Government has decided to rail a halt to alterations and makeshifts which are more expensive than effective, and to provide on the main roof of the principal building additional accommodation to meet the full requirements of the Department. NATURE OF WORK Construction ha 3 begun. The scheme of extension comprises subdivisions of existing work and new additions in wood on the east, north, and west wings. Stability of construction with due regard to economy has been planred. The construction will consist of : light material, yet giving strength to the ! new superstructure Both in iorm and colour the external treatment of the extensions will harmonise with the main permanent building. “I need scarcely emphasise that a vital feature of adm>n ; strative and staff work in war conditions is its secret and confidential nature,” said Mr Sullivan. “For instance, meetings of ooth the War Administration and Cabinet should be held in a jdlhc* vhich affords the greatest degree of security; and the same condition applies to the major part of the activities of the departmental staff. "The new arrangements will meet this requirement and will release accommodation in, various parts of Parliament House which *s ui gently need ed for other purpus.s. Another great | advantage will be :he bunging together j of all branches of the Diq artment, thus securing a greater degree of economical j and efficient work ”