BUILDING COSTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 11

BUILDING COSTS

PROTECTION NEEDED ELIMINATING FLUCTUATIONS OPINIONS AT CONFERENCE r The need for the introduction of t legislation which would enable cons’ : tractors to secure adjustments of q ; costs in cases where variations had n : been brought about by legislative s action or awards nf the Court of . Arbitration after their contracts had e been signed was discussed at the _ annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Builders’ and Contractor*’ t Association in Hamilton yesterday, when a remit on those lines came s forward from Auckland. The presip , dent of the association. Mr W. A r Petrie Timaru presided over the s i conference. It was stated that the n • remit was introduced in view of the it ‘ almost universal system of tendering | for work in the building trade. The desirability for such a measure _ was stressed by Mr G. Allan Aucks Land . who stated that under the pro1, i sent conditions the builders had a v j wide margin of uncertainty to contend li ! with. The building industry was one e • nf the nirtKl important in the country, n but the builder had to gamble on I. f what the costs were going to be before ! Dio jnl. was Imislind. The hlliklers 1 should endeavour to operate as busi . ness men, not as tremblers. The men- - t sure sugsesled would eliminate such e’ a risk Decently Hie builders had _ | been on a rising markel. but before I, ! long they might be on a falling one s i If they could he assured that t.he \ ■ market would remain more or less s steady the position would be much | belter for everyone concerned. The 2 | speaker proposed a motion recomg ! mending to tho incoming executive that a Rill be prepared for the conn | siderafion of :hc Government. | Clause In Agreement 1 • While lie was in agreement with tb* ~ ! principle involved. Mr A. Fletcher j (Wellington ) opposed the course sug(J i nested to gain the end. The apeak* 1 * . proposed the following amendment in d j three parts:— 1 “That, the executive be instructed " | to prepare a clause protecting builders ! against fluctuations in award rates of J v\ages. and that, all* builders carrying p : °ut private contracts be recommended to see that the clause be inserted in _ agreements; that the executive anp proach the New Zealand Architects’ ' i Association regarding the matter, with i a view to having a similar clause inserted in the conditions of contracts; that the executive approach the Public • Works Department with a request. 1 that a similar clause be inserted in • Public Works Department contracts.’’ I The amendment was carried, Mr l Allen withdrawing his remit.